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.
“Was that relevant?”
Absolutely.
Why?
Professional women’s sports don’t need this crap. They are in business to make money, and most of the fans are women, real women. You don’t offend your entire paying audience.
This gives me an idea. Power wind farms can tally up fines displayed in large digital numbers on each windmill of the types of birds killed. Even plentiful birds can add up.
Why did they move the bird? I thought they would make her try a birdie putt.
“Why?”
To let people know you are desperate for subjects on a slow news night.
I hit a bluejay with my motorcycle back the 70’s while traveling at highway speeds. It got lodged in the front forks and it was a mangled mess to get out.
But that’s not as bad as my college roommate getting hit by a bird in the chest while riding his motorcycle. He was wearing a t-shirt and suffered a terrible bruise.
Dave Stieb? Alfredo Griffin? You are really testing my knowledge.
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