Hooper launches career
I ran into former Coastal Carolina golfer Cameron Hooper, who was hanging with Dustin Johnson on Tuesday -- even rode into Augusta National with him. Johnson didn't play a practice round in heavy winds, he only practiced on the driving range, and Hooper watched and waited for a few hours as Johnson worked on all parts of his game, went to the TaylorMade tour trailer to have some wedges adjusted, and returned to the range to work them out.
Hooper recently began a playing career after having surgery to alleviate pain in his ribs caused by cartilage that was separated from the bone. He said doctors told him they couldn't really fix the injury, so they went through his back to kill the nerves so he wouldn't be in pain. Hooper said he was back to hitting balls the next day. "It actually feels really good right now," he said. "It's a good thing."
Hooper earned a Master's in Business Administration in December before beginning a pro career on the Hooters Tour, where he'll play this season before a planned attempt at PGA Tour Q-School. "It's a struggle, those guys are so good," he said.
He was practicing his business skills as he earned his MBA, managing to attract some sponsors to fund his season on tour.
Watson plays birthday game
Tom Watson signed a number of autographs on his way from the driving range, with the prized gift a signed glove. But he didn't give it away without requiring some effort from patrons.
Watson offered the glove to the first person in the crowd who could tell him his birthday. He quoted them the month of September, and after some obvious guesses, one informed young fan yelled the correct answer of Sept. 4, even supplying the year of 1949.
