Craziest day of my life’: Retail worker downs three beers, wins playoff marathon for PGA debut

Nick Bienz has captured the hearts of golf enthusiasts and social media users alike with his remarkable journey to this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic on the PGA Tour. The 27-year-old, who typically works at Golf Galaxy, made headlines on Tuesday after securing a spot in the 156-player tournament with a memorable performance in a Monday qualifier. The Rocket Mortgage Classic, boasting a $9.2 million (A$13.8m) purse, is Bienz’s first PGA Tour-sanctioned event.

What truly set Bienz apart was not just his victory but the unconventional way he prepared for it. Faced with a high-pressure five-way playoff, Bienz opted to calm his nerves with a few beers, downing three before stepping up to the tee. His relaxed approach paid off, as he outlasted competitors Danny Guise, Angelo Giantsopoulos, Brandon Berry, and Beau Breault over eight grueling holes to clinch his spot in the tournament.
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Following his win, Bienz humorously noted that he would need to call in to his day job. “I have to call my boss and call off work tomorrow for sure,” he told Golfweek. “I’m supposed to be there at 7:30 in the morning (Tuesday) and I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

The Rocket Mortgage Classic, which begins on Thursday, will feature top-30 players like Tom Kim, Cameron Young, and Akshay Bhatia. Representing Australia in the tournament are Min Woo Lee, Aaron Baddeley, Cam Davis, and Harrison Endycott. Bienz’s story adds an exciting and relatable twist to this week’s event, as he steps onto the course with both professional golfers and newfound fans cheering him on.