Former MLB pitcher John Smoltz is hoping to launch his second sporting career this weekend when he takes part in the final stage of Q-School on the PGA Tour Champions.
The ex-Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and St Louis Cardinals hero earned a host of baseball honors during a 22-season career - including one World Series and a Cy Young award - but the 55-year-old is now chasing one of the most sought-after prizes in golf, a card on the Champions Tour.
To do so, Smoltz must finish among the top-five places after 72 holes in this week's 78-man event (Tuesday-Friday) at TPC Scottsdale’s Champions course. It remains a possibility for the plus-handicap player, with a reasonable amount of experience to fall back on, too.
Smoltz has featured in nine PGA Tour Champions events already, including the 2018 U.S. Senior Open - three years on from being elected into the MLB's Hall of Fame.
Speaking to the PGA Tour, Smoltz said: “I don’t live in a false reality. This sport is really difficult. I’m not trying to think that this is something that I could do for a whole year or not ... but it’s fun to attempt it.”
Looking to make history ⛳️⚾️Longtime @MLB pitcher and Hall of Famer John Smoltz competes for a pro golf career on the Champions Tour this week at the Final Stage of Q-School.The top five finishers will earn status for 2024. pic.twitter.com/h073IVxt0fDecember 4, 2023
To reach this point, even, the Michigan-born man has performed admirably, shooting one-over across four rounds to finish tied-14th at Buckhorn Springs Golf and Country Club in Valrico, Florida. Smoltz had fallen short in the first stage three times before finally progressing to this point.
“The highlights were that I started every round really good,” he said, “and that normally doesn’t happen for me. I got to four-under (for the round) twice with three or four holes to go, but I didn’t finish well.
"That’s what I’m trying to work on here (at Final Stage). If you have a good round going, then keep your foot on the gas. I did that well as a pitcher.”
⛳️ THE THREE-POINT KING WITH A HOLE-IN-ONE ⛳️@StephenCurry30 is just different.(via @NBCSports)pic.twitter.com/lsZZp7lYAkJuly 15, 2023
Smoltz is the latest in a long line of athletes from different sports who have tried or are still trying to pursue a second career in golf. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has had multiple attempts at reaching the PGA Tour through Q-School, but has so far been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry - who is also a part-owner of TGL side San Francisco - is a scratch golfer who has featured on the Korn Ferry Tour previously and won the American Century Championship ahead of ex-tennis player, Mardy Fish.
