Where are they now ?

Every now and then, the names of multiple tour winners who’ve seemingly fallen off the face of the earth pop into our heads, and we find ourselves asking what’s gone wrong. Nick Bonfield takes a look at 5 players who despite once headling haven’t appeared on television screens for quite some time.

http://www.golfshake.com/news/view/7905/Where_are_they_now_5_players_missing_from_our_screens.html

Shows how tough it is

There are many who "show potential" and then disappear off the radar. Momentum is a massive thing when starting out on a Pro Career.

I hope young Tom Lewis isnt the next name to join that list.

Tour Golfers are a funny breed and it really depends on their outlook on life. Take Chris Wood as an example. He could have won the 2009 Open but tied for 3rd, he has won over 4m Euro on Tour so far and is averaging about £500k per year in prize money, which doesn't include sponsorship. So if you were him, would you be happy with yourself or be disappointed with only one win in six years?

I don't think anyone can turn their nose up at half a million per year. But like you said it depends on their mindset. As a pro athlete Chris Wood will set himself goals each year and I am sure that one of his season goals will to be win an event, so from the perspective he could perceive that he is failing. Another goal may be to earn a certain amount of prixe money per year, so from that perspective he could be succeeding.

What stands out in this list is that they are all the sufferers of career limiting injuries.

It begs the question what does the tour offer in terms of physiotherapy? If these guys were playing top level sport as part of a team, they would be earning more money, and would have the stability of a club to support them.

Whilst the pro tours rake in vast sums of money, it seems that they don't need to provide 'pastoral' care because there is a never ending supply of rookies who want the the next available tour card.

David,

The Big Tours have a Physio and other medical staff as part of their set up. Many of the top players also have their own team with them.

The major thing today is that these guys are after 'perfection' and their game has to 'feel' right, a 300yd fairway splitting drive isn't OK if it didn't feel right. A round of 69 isn't OK if they don't feel they hit the ball solidly. They train in a gym for hours to get fit.

Look at Harrington, three major victories in a short time but thought he needed to tweak his swing to improve?