Harry Higgs is understood for being considered one of golf’s most loveable characters however this week he plans to strike a steadiness between being the enjoyable man and a severe contender in a subject that features main champions.
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Higgs and Joel Dahmen immediately grew to become fan favourites as they whipped their shirts off and waved them round for the wild crowd at TPC Scottsdale’s world-renowned occasion gap on the Phoenix Open two years in the past.
The pair had been fined by the PGA Tour for his or her actions at what has change into maybe the rowdiest gap in golf, the place Higgs solely wanted to make par to descend the stadium-like stands into chaos.
Match organisers are hoping that the American can convey his infectious power to the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane, beginning Thursday, earlier than heading to Melbourne for subsequent week’s Australian Open.
However Higgs has come as greater than only a showman.
He’s utilizing his time down below to assist rebuild his profession.
Higgs was relegated to the US’s secondary Korn Ferry Tour after a disappointing season final yr that was extra notable for his antics than his outcomes.
The 32-year-old dealt with the demotion in one of the simplest ways doable nevertheless, as he stepped out of the highlight to recapture the shape that led him to a tied fourth end on the 2021 PGA Championship.
The world No. 161 gained twice, made his method into the US Open subject by way of the gruelling qualifying occasion, and completed inside the highest 30 on the cash listing to earn himself a spot again on the PGA Tour.
Now, Higgs wish to be certain that he stays there for good. Taking up the likes of Cameron Smith, Jason Day and Min Woo Lee within the two most distinguished occasions on Australia’s golf calendar will play an important function in making ready him to take action.
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A part of his journey to be taken extra significantly is a vow to by no means repeat the scenes of the Phoenix Open however this week Royal Queensland has a celebration gap of its personal. Higgs admitted that he gained’t fully rein in his boisterous methods.
It would simply take an ace – which might safe the followers on the gap on the weekend a share of $1 million – to unleash them.
“One million-dollar hole-in-one, after which only a hole-in-one typically, I can’t say for positive that I’d maintain that promise that I’d by no means ever do it (take off his shirt) once more,” Higgs stated with fun.
“It looks as if they get loads rowdy right here. I’m very a lot wanting ahead to getting right here on the match days and having a little bit of enjoyable with the parents.
“Regardless of how many individuals are right here, there’ll be sufficient that you simply’ll really feel some nerves and also you’ll wish to carry out in entrance of them.
“That’s what we’re … we’re entertainers and performers.
“You wish to carry out on an even bigger stage, with extra folks round and have a little bit of enjoyable with the parents.”
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Higgs’ first go to to Australian shores has additionally been impressed by considered one of golf’s greatest names.
When Jordan Spieth discovered that the Australian Open – which we gained in 2014 and 2016 – can be performed in Melbourne at famed Sandbelt programs Kingston Heath and Victoria, he advised Higgs that the journey was a should.
“He (Spieth) was raving about it,” Higgs advised the PGA of Australia. “He stated Kingston Heath is in his high three (programs) of all time.
“Royal Melbourne is superior with the historical past and the whole lot, however he stated in case you needed to decide for enjoyable, and a few of the pictures you needed to hit, that he needed to give Kingston Heath the sting.
“From what I’ve heard, Royal Queensland is perhaps much like a Florida golf course. It wouldn’t be one thing that I’ve by no means completely seen earlier than, however then the 2 on the Sandbelt could possibly be just a little tough.”
Taking part in in international circumstances will likely be a terrific check in addition to being refreshing for Higgs.
So too will taking part in with little consequence.
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After all, there’s a slice of the $2 million prize purse up for grabs this week, however Higgs is relishing the possibility to play with out the burden of each shot impacting his future.
He teed it up on the PGA Tour’s World Large Know-how Championship in Mexico earlier this month – the place he completed in a tie for thirtieth – and together with his tour card already locked in for subsequent yr, he had a brand new pep in his step.
“Mexico was the primary time in 5 years that I performed a PGA Tour occasion the place it actually didn’t matter how I did,” Higgs stated.
“I nonetheless hit loads of dangerous pictures, however my response to them was simply type of a shrug and a smile, and I felt like that helped me proceed to get higher all through that week.
“That’s a great little bit of studying, particularly as soon as I begin up in January once more, however to attempt to put it into follow right here too.
“It’s good to journey to a special a part of the world, play just a little totally different golf and simply see the way you stack up and definitely play towards nonetheless some phenomenal golfers.
“There are good golfers in every single place on this world, and definitely loads right here.”