PGA pro Omar Uresti finds himself in a pretty special threeball this week, following the withdrawal of former US Open champion Webb Simpson.
Simpson has been forced out through illness, but Uresti will be relishing the opportunity to go and perform alongside Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, also previous US Open champions.
Webb Simpson is a WD (illness) before the start of the first round of the RBC Canadian Open and is replaced by Omar Uresti.June 8, 2023
Uresti, 54, has played on the PGA Tour nearly 400 times, and although he has yet to taste victory on the ‘big tour’, he is unlikely to be overawed in Major company.
With nearly $4m in prize money to his name, the former University of Texas All-American knows what he’s capable of. A two-time winner of the PGA of America’s PGA Professional Championship, he boasts a lot of experience.
Still, it's quite the group to join. As a reserve, you're just hopeful of playing, but Uresti has landed himself a dream group.
Not only is the man from Austin, Texas, going to have a fair bit of television time, he'll also have the opportunity to discuss all things PGA Tour and LIV Golf with world number three McIlroy, who's been one of the most vocal on the controversial merger this week.
Whether or not this affects Uresti's game or not remains to be seen. The trio teed off at 07.33am (12.33pm GMT), and the journeyman made a solid par on the 10th, his first hole.
McIlroy, meanwhile, showed no early signs of being worn out by all the pre tournament merger discussions, the defending champion opening his account with a birdie.
After two missed cuts in his only two appearances on the PGA Tour this season, Uresti, whose niece is married to fellow professional and Tour player, Nick Watney, will be hoping that he can at least stick around for the weekend.
For inspiration, he need only think about Michael Block's incredible accomplishment at the PGA Championship last month, where the 46-year-old club pro finished in a tie for 15th.
That, of course, was only part of the story. He also made a remarkable hole-in-one. Talking of aces, according to the PGA Tour's website, Uresti says a hole-in-one, that he made at the age of eight, ranks as one of his biggest thrills.
A decent weekend in Toronto would surely rank fairly highly, too.
-
Andrew Novak And Ben Griffin Seal Maiden PGA Tour Titles At Zurich Classic Of New OrleansThe duo held off the challenges of Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard and Frank Capan III and Jake Knapp to win the TPC Louisiana team tournament
-
Mao Saigo Claims Maiden Major Title At Chevron Championship Title After Thrilling Five-Way Sudden Death PlayoffThe Japanese star made a birdie on the first extra hole at The Club at Carlton Wood as her four challengers faltered
-
Tiger Woods Heads 8 Golfers To Make All Time Rich List Of Top 50 Highest Paid AthletesTiger Woods is the second highest paid athlete of all time behind only Michael Jordan in a new top 50 rich list from Sportico
-
Rory McIlroy And Shane Lowry Explain Golf Ball Tactics For Zurich Classic FoursomesDefending Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry explained how they go about picking which golf ball to use in foursomes
-
'I’ve Never Seen Someone Hit A Driver That Good. He Played So Freaking Good. And You Almost Feel Like, How Do I Compete With That?' - Akshay Bhatia Wowed By McIlroy's Masters DisplayAkshay Bhatia lavished praise on Rory McIlroy's game at the Masters after playing the opening two rounds alongside the eventual champion at Augusta
-
‘I Spoke To Two Presidents The Day After’ – Rory McIlroy Reflects On 'Absolutely Amazing' Reaction To Masters WinThe five-time Major winner revealed he had spoken to two presidents in the aftermath of completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2025Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defend their title as players compete for a record purse in the unique team competition
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail PostmarkRory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
-
9 Things Rory McIlroy Still Has Left To Achieve In His CareerAfter becoming one of just six players ever to complete the career Grand Slam, what else could Rory McIlroy realistically achieve before retirement?
-
Rory McIlroy Invited To Old Trafford By Manchester United Boss Ruben Amorim After Masters VictoryFollowing on from his Masters victory, McIlroy has received an invitation from Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, to show off his Green Jacket at Old Trafford
