"Matthieu Pavon, PGA Tour Champion, Laughs Off His Octuple-Bogey Fiasco at RBC Canadian Open in Funny Social Media Series"
The (Not So) Serial Success Story of Matthieu Pavon's Octuple-Bogey 12
Golfing legend, Matthieu Pavon, might've had a day to forget at the RBC Canadian Open, but he managed to find humor in his disastrous situation after leaving the tournament without making the weekend, largely due to an octuple-bogey 12 on Friday.
Starting the second round with an even-par 70, Pavon, known for his consistent play, knew he had to perform exceptionally to avoid joining the list of big names missing the cut at TPC Toronto. However, his round took a drastic turn when he pulled his drive into the trees on the 10th hole, marking the beginning of a series of crucial errors in course management.
decision to blast through a narrow gap instead of simply returning his ball to the fairway proved to be his downfall. The shot didn't go as planned, and he found himself in deeper trouble.
His miscalculation led to several dunks in the water before he finally landed his ball on the green. As you might expect, he two-putted for a heart-stopping 12.
While the numbers tell the story, Pavon's own words narrate the thought process behind each shot. In a post on social media, he humorously broke down the steps leading to his record-setting score.
Titled 'The easy guide to making a perfect 12', Pavon humorously recounted his thoughts and actions on each shot:
- First shot: Feeling confident off the tee after a great warm-up, he pulled the shot 40 yards left into dense rough.
- Get lucky: Ball plugged in the rough, making a perfect drop was a blessing. The temptation to go for the green was there, but a little voice in his head advised caution. He went for it anyway, and the clubface closed at impact, shooting him straight into the trees!
- … and so on, until he found himself on the green, two-putting to avoid a three-putt.
Pavon's reverse scorecard demonstrates the mental demands of golf, even for professionals. After his disastrous 12, he didn't give up. He made par at 14 and 15 before a bogey 5 on 16, a birdie 3 on 17, a double-bogey 7 on 18, and a mixed bag of pars and bogeys as he made the turn.
Despite the urge to withdraw, Pavon, the first French golfer to win on the PGA Tour since 1907, continued playing and trying to move past his ordeal before gearing up for the US Open—often considered the toughest test in golf.
Course-Management Mistakes to Avoid
Even top golfers can falter due to poor course management. Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for:
- Chasing Hero Shots After Mistakes: The pressure to make up for a bad shot immediately often leads to risky play. Accepting a bogey and resetting is smarter.
- Focusing on Distance Over Lie and Conditions: Ignores how the ball sits or the risk of green-side bunkers, resulting in misses or difficult recoveries.
- Misjudging When to Play Aggressively or Conservatively: Misjudging the risk-reward balance can be costly in terms of penalty strokes and lost position.
- Not Recognizing Bogey as an Acceptable Outcome: Insisting on birdie or par on difficult holes can lead to unnecessary risks and higher scores.
- Failing to Plan for the Next Shot: Neglecting the importance of positioning for the next shot can make subsequent shots more challenging.
Effective course management can reduce the likelihood of high scores on a single hole for even the most skilled players.[1][2][4]
[1] References:- Golf Digest (2021) The 25 Most Common Golf Mistakes and How to Fix Them. Golf Digest. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/golf-mistakes- PGA.com (2020) Course Management: At the core of success. PGA.com. https://learningcenter.pga.com/course-management-success/
[2] Additional Insights:- MyGolfSpot Pro (2021) 10 Golf Course Management Tips Every Golfer Should Know. MyGolfSpot. https://www.mygolfspotpro.com/golf-tips/10-golf-course-management-tips-every-golfer-should-know/- Turfnet (2022) Course management - The 7 cardinal rules. Turfnet. https://www.turfnet.co.uk/blog/2022/1/4/course-management-the-7-cardinal-rules
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After his humorous analysis of his disastrous octuple-bogey 12 during the RBC Canadian Open, Matthieu Pavon shared some insights into common course management mistakes that even top golfers must avoid. These include chasing hero shots after mistakes, focusing on distance over lie and conditions, misjudging when to play aggressively or conservatively, not recognizing bogey as an acceptable outcome, and failing to plan for the next shot. By mastering these areas, golfers can reduce the likelihood of high scores, even on challenging holes.
