FRISCO (Texas) – Adilson Da Silva had never visited the United States.
It may seem logical to most, but it is mind-boggling for someone who has been playing professional golf since 1994 that he’s never even teed up in the U.S. Even more puzzling is the fact that da Silva, a professional golfer since 1994, has never played in the U.S., let alone set foot in the country.
After meeting a tobacco buyer in his hometown, the 51-year old Brazilian began his career in golf as caddie. This chance encounter would lead to a career that spanned more than six continents.
He was a promising player, winning the Brazilian Amateur Open Championship in 1990 and 1991. De Silva, with these wins under his belt took a big leap of faith after a friend helped him settle in Zimbabwe.
“I met a gentleman named Andy Edmondson, and we became good friends,” da Silva said to reporters after his second round at PGA Frisco on Friday. “And then, after a few years or so, he invited to me go to Zimbabwe. That’s how golf began. So, I was very fortunate to have a break. Brazil was very closed at the time when it came to golf. My parents couldn’t afford it. It was a real blessing that I started the golf .”
He could not miss the opportunity to play professional golf. Da Silva, who did not speak a word of English before moving to South Africa as a golf professional, learned the language in a few years.
De Silva, who was already established in South Africa in 1995, began to play on the Sunshine Tour on full-time in 1997. From 1997 to 2012 he won 12 times. De Silva ended his six-year winless streak in 2018 by winning the Mercuries Taiwan Masters with a stroke.
Da Silva was close to ending his career when the COVID-19 epidemic hit. His best years were behind him, and he had two small children to raise.
Da Silva said Golfweekspan “font-weight 400 ;”>. We decided to try it out with the seniors in Europe, and see how well they do. I was invited to my first Legends Tour event, and I finished third. I received an exemption for the next event.
The PGA Seniors Championship in 2022 was his big break.
“I won the PGA in Formby, and that gave me an exemption to play the rest of the tournaments. That was a huge deal for me.” Now I can do what I enjoy and stay on tour.”
Da Silva’s career was reignited by the win. He was second in the Order of Merit for 2022, which allowed him to qualify for exemptions to the Senior PGA Championship of 2023 and the U.S. Senior Open of 2023. Da Silva won the Legends Tour in Austria before arriving in Dallas on Sunday.
Da Silva’s American welcome is as good as it can be given the travel requirements and the demands of Fields Ranch.
Da Silva told Golfweek, “This is top-notch.” It’s a beautiful course (Fields Ranch), but it can be a monster.
The Brazilian has so far mastered the East Course. After two rounds, da Silva is tied for fifth and 6 under par.
Padraig Harrington is joined by a list of PGA Tour Champions who are all trying to catch up with him.
Three-time major champion Harrington has not made a bogey in the entire week. He is using his distance to rip apart the new home of PGA of America. Harrington, who followed up his opening eight-under 64 with a second round of 68 without bogeys, is three strokes ahead of the rest of the field as the championship reaches the midway point.
“You want to take some more risks and be a bit more free.” “But sometimes, when you are leading, you get a bit cautious,” said he. “I suppose that’s why it happens so often in golf. It’s hard for a leader, to get away from the group. The field can easily chase him. There’s some freedom. They have nothing at stake. “I have 36 more holes to play, so this weekend is going to be long for me.”
Harrington is within striking distance of Stewart Cink (8-under), Katsumasa MIyamoto (9-under) and Steve Stricker (7-9 under). Darren Clarke and Y.E. Yang and Alex Cejka tied da Silva on 6 under.
Da Silva will return to the United States for the taste of American Golf.
“I missed a great opportunity to come, and it was a mistake.” But I might come back at the Tour School for the PGA Tour Champions at the end.
