Posted on 07/03/2024 6:28:29 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Usually, when the phrases "hitting the green" and "birdie" are paired together, it represents something good for a golfer.
That wasn't the case for Isi Gabsa at the LPGA Tour's U.S. Open on Thursday.
Gabsa hit a beauty of a shot on the difficult No. 12 hole at which Nelly Korda logged a 10 earlier in the morning. Gabsa's shot sailed perfectly to the green and set her up for a birdie chance on the Par 3 hole as it landed.
MORE: The Randy Johnson bird game, as told by the bird's family
Unfortunately, another birdie — one sitting on the green, minding its own business — never saw the shot coming. The golf ball landed directly on the bird, leaving it motionless on the ground.
Below is a look at how the potentially deadly shot unfolded.
The broadcast didn't clarify whether the bird survived the hit. It showed a tournament staffer removing the bird from the green, leaving many to assume the creature perished.
Naturally, Gabsa's shot evoked memories of the infamous Randy Johnson pitch that hit and killed a bird mid-flight. A few golf fans and media personalities pointed out it was a "Randy Johnson situation" after it happened.
Johnson's play came during a spring training game against the Giants on March 24, 2001. He delivered a fastball that hit a dove right as it crossed in front of home plate. Johnson's fastball reached 101 mph in his heyday. Even if he wasn't throwing full-force, the bird absorbed a deadly blow.
As a result, the collision killed the bird on impact. A cloud of feathers burst off its body.
The play became one of the most memorable from Johnson's Hall of Fame career. He has leaned into the moment and uses an upside-down bird as the logo for his photography company.
Thus, it figures to follow Gabsa around as she continues to compete on the LPGA Tour. Soon enough, we'll hear her feelings about what will likely be the saddest birdie news of the day at the women's 2024 U.S. Open.
Golfers are a menace!
“LPGA Golfer Hits Bird With Tee Shot”
Is it still LPGA, or is it now LPGAQ+? In other words, do they keep out Jack Nicholas?
I wonder what they would have called it if she’d hit an eagle?
They taste somewhere between a Spotted Owl and a California Condor.
Great story!
“Johnson uses an upside-down bird as the logo for his photography company” — LOLOL!
I remember all of the craps Johnson got accusing him of hitting the bird on purpose. I wonder if she will get the same flak. PETA will be out protesting golf.
Brings a whole new meaning to shooting a birdie.
Years ago I saw my brother hit a bird flying across the fairway after he hit his tee shot. As I recall it was a Robin. It was dead before it hit the ground.
My brother, nephew, and I were playing golf in Bend, OR. We go to the first tee, and my brother hits his tee shot using driver. A bird was flying at a 90-degree angle to the fairway, and my brother’s ball knocked it clean out of the air. It fluttered to the ground but must have still been alive - albeit dazed - because we looked for it and could not find it.
That ain’t nothin, my dad hit a cow with a Cessna 310 (an airplane, back in the fall of 75).
My goodness, how many birds are peeled off the front of trucks and cars every day. It’s a bird....just like the chickens and turkeys we eat without blinking an eye.
Should be an automatic birdie
that was unreal- but we gotta remember, God holds the lives of animals in His hands and when it is their time to go, it’s their time to go- no matter how bizarre the scene
LOL, John Kruk was thinking, “That could have been me!”
“”Is it still LPGA, or is it now LPGAQ+?””
Hmmmmmmmm
LPGAQWERTY
LPGAQWERTYLMNOPQRS
You left out the date: 5/30/2024
Does she get credit for this?
Was that relevant?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.