Basketball star Steph Curry called out a PGA Tour pro who said there was ‘no chance in hell’ he’d break 76 on his Web.com Tour debut after shooting 74.
The two-time NBA MVP is playing in this week’s Ellie Mae Classic on a sponsor’s exemption, with his team – the Golden State Warriors – and its community foundation serving as the event’s main charitable beneficiary.
Most expected Curry to struggle badly, but he shot a four-over-par round – better than 13 players in the field – before taking to Twitter afterwards to address a tweet made by pro Steve Wheatcroft ahead of his round.
@notthefakeSVP I hope you're trying to move the line in Vegas re:Steph. Take the over and BIG. No chance in hell he breaks 76. Love the show
— Steve Wheatcroft (@wheatiePGA) August 1, 2017
Hell hath frozen over 😂
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) August 4, 2017
To be fair, Wheatcroft backed down and was full of praise for Curry.
Haha. Mad respect bud. I have no problem eating this crow. Keep the mojo going tomorrow, and enjoy yourself out there.
— Steve Wheatcroft (@wheatiePGA) August 4, 2017
Other pros couldn’t help but admire what the point guard had achieved, too.
Impressive stuff yesterday @StephenCurry30!! Let's see a low one today👍
— Rickie Fowler (@RickieFowler) August 4, 2017
Pumped for @StephenCurry30. It's one thing to play well with your buddies, but tournament play can be a different animal. +4 is no joke.
— Webb Simpson (@webbsimpson1) August 4, 2017
Impressive round from @StephenCurry30 today. #under
— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) August 4, 2017
.@StephenCurry30 making 3 birdies and shooting +4 is super impressive. Great golfer but things can be tougher inside the ropes. Well done
— Ben Crane (@bencranegolf) August 3, 2017
So how did Curry describe the experience? "As soon as they said my name on the first tee, that's when I could barely feel my hands," he said.
"I had to try to take a deep breath and still there wasn't anything I could do to prepare myself for that moment. But after the third or fourth hole, it was just golf and I just tried to hit some good shots.
“If you told me I was going to shoot 74 going into the first round I’d take that all day, every day. I’m pretty happy with it.”