Shaun Micheel doesn’t even think about his shot when he looks at the 7-iron in the golf area of his Collierville house.
This shot made him the world’s No. The 164th ranked golfer on the planet. The 175-yard shot at No. 18 that was two inches away from the cup. The final round of 2003 PGA Championship. Jim Nantz, the CBS announcer, described this shot on the broadcast as “PGA Championship lore” 20 years after it was made.
Micheel told a friend over the phone on Wednesday night that he had hit a lot of 7-irons since then. This was about 12 hours prior to his first teeshot in the first group at the 2023 PGA Championship.
Micheel returns to Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York. This is the site of his most important golf achievement – the only PGA Tour victory of his career.
Micheel has been prompted by the anniversary to face some golf demons he developed between then and now. Fewer than 300 golfers have ever won a major. But Micheel still struggles with why a momentous victory two decades ago did not lead to continued greatness.
The Golf Channel asked Micheel before this tournament if, as the rare golfer who has only won a major, he views himself as an underachiever or great underdog.
Micheal responded, “Probably an underachiever.”
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Even though he has achieved many other things, there is still regret. Micheel came in second place behind Tiger Woods at the 2006 PGA Championship. A month later, he beat Woods again in a match-play event. He has made the cut on the PGA Tour more than he did not, and he’s had 20 top-10 finishes.
Micheel was refreshingly honest about everything this week.
He said at a news conference on Tuesday that “every player wants to belong on the trophy.” I guess I played just to keep my position, which I find really unfortunate. “I think back and I say, ‘That is exactly how I played. I played as if every shot was a life or death situation.'”
When you win, your expectations will change. You become driven by perfection. “That was my downfall,” he said. If I could only go back in time, it would be great. Who knows what would have happened if things had been different? “I just did some things that I wouldn’t repeat.”
Shaun Micheel, winner of the 85th PGA Championship, at Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, N.Y. on Sunday, August 17, 2003, kisses the Wanamaker Trophy.
The pressure to perform as well as he had during the four magical days at Oak Hill, combined with shoulder surgery, heart procedures and the loss of his parents took its toll. This led to him second-guessing his swing and tinkering with it. In 2011, he lost his full-time PGA Tour status.
Most recently, he was Butler’s golf assistant coach. He made the trip to Indianapolis to assist a friend. This is his first tournament for nine months.
“I was definitely scrutinized because I never won again after the post-PGA. Because I don’t play as much, I don’t think about it. Micheel explained that it was a problem for him. “I was so tired that I almost gave up and said, “That’s all.” “I can’t do it anymore. That’s where I was.”
His spirit was still alive at Oak Hill, even though his game wasn’t. Micheel limped home Thursday after shooting a 44 in the back for 81. He is in last place going into the round on Friday.
Micheel was aware that winning the PGA Championship in 2004 would be more unlikely than 2003. He can only play this week as a former champ.
His son Dade, 19, is with him. He was also there in 2003. Shaun Micheel kissed Stephanie Micheel’s belly when he won the race. She was six months pregant.
Last Friday, after arriving in Rochester, fathers and sons went to the 18th-hole. The plaque now rests on the ground at the exact spot where Micheel struck the shot. Micheel said it reminds him a lot of the 7-irons he hit after that, shots he wishes he could get back. This time, however, they recreated the shot that he is remembered for.
The plaque on the 18th green commemorates Shaun Micheel’s 7-iron shot from 174 yard during the 2003 PGA Championship held at Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York. (Photo: Scott Halleran/Getty Images).
Micheel recorded Dade as he attempted to repeat what his father had done 20 years ago. He “hit it there” with a 6-iron.
“I think that it’s really cool. People do focus on my shot and the way I won.” Micheel remembered it well. After that PGA I had to go through a lot of changes, including trying to find my own identity. At my age, however, I am trying to gain a bit more perspective.
You can reach Memphis Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto via email at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter:@mgiannotto
