Andres Gonzales hopes for quiet eyes on Shriners Open putting greens this week
Once a Rebel, always a Rebel.
That is true for many former UNLV golfers who now play on the PGA Tour or have gone on to success in “regular” jobs. Such is the case with Andres Gonzales, who is thrilled to be “back home playing” in front of friends, former teammates and with his fellow Rebel brothers who are in the field for this week’s Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
On Monday, Gonzales rolled putts on the TPC Summerlin practice green while meeting and greeting old friends in between drills taught to him by Dwaine Knight, his former UNLV head coach. Knight has a reputation as one of the best putting experts in the world. His former players and other pros continually seek him out for advice.
“I still use a lot of Coach Knight’s putting tools from UNLV,” Gonzales said. “I still have my T-square and I’m using it this week to help with alignment. He has produced a lot of good putters over time, and he made us all believe that we are good putters.
“His best tip is to keep the eyes as quiet as possible. If you can keep your eyes looking down or gazing or foggy through the entire stroke, that is a key. When you do that you can use your imagination to putt as opposed to thinking about mechanics. When I’m out on the course I’m trying to make everything.”
Gonzales retained his official status on the tour after finishing 11th on the combined 2016 Web.com season and finals money list. Gonzales has been exempt for three consecutive years and five overall.
“I’ve been playing really well recently,” Gonzales, who finished 41st at the Sanderson Farms Championship last week, said. “Last week I hit the ball very well but didn’t get it in the hole fast enough. I feel good coming into this week, especially with it being a home tournament. I’m excited to be back in Las Vegas.”
RYDER CUPPER WITHDRAWS
J.B. Holmes, a member of the winning 2016 United States Ryder Cup team, withdrew from the Shriners on Monday. Holmes finished tied for 35th at the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, China, which concluded Sunday.
STARS ON, OFF COURSE, SHRINERS EDITION
Tommy Morrissey is arguably the most inspirational story of this week’s tournament. The 5-year old was born without his right forearm, but it’s clear by watching him practice he isn’t making excuses for his difficult situation.
Prior to the Charley Hoffman Foundation Pro-Am, Gonzales watched Morrissey hit balls and later told interested bystanders that the youngster was “striping it.” Morrissey also looked the part of pro golfer on the practice putting green, making long and short putts and demonstrating a concentration level of tour proportions.
Morrissey, a patient at the Philadelphia Shriners Hospitals for Children, was the first golfer with a limb difference to compete in the U.S. Kids World Golf Championships and also has played golf with Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth.
