Geoff Ogilvy ready to give up sleep for football
Geoff Ogilvy, while competing in the Tour Championship, is willing to stay up half the night to watch his favourite team play football. Ogilvy ended up in third place after scoring a three-under 67 in the second round of the championship at East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta. The Tour Championship, which is the final event of the FedEx Cup series, really has the players struggling for the $10 Million prize.
Ogilvy’s commitment to his favourite football team St. Kilda is remarkable as he is willing to be sleep deprived for the next round of a very important championship. Normally, people would think twice before doing something that could risk their careers. Ogilvy, however, thinks that a person can play golf the next day even if they haven’t slept much. A problem only arises if the player has been drinking the night before.
The Australian golfer is so passionate for his team that when he saw a reporter wear a Collingwood T-shirt, Ogilvy looked flushed. The football lover spent more time talking about the AFL than golf with the reporters.
"The game starts at about 12:30 and it'll finish at about 3:00 in the morning," the 33-year-old Australian told reporters. "I'll get a bit of sleep. It's less than ideal but I'm not going to miss watching this game." Now this is what you called a devoted fan.
Last year, before the final, Geoff tried sleeping but was too nervous. When St. Kilda lost, frustrated Ogilvy took his anger on the course shooting a third-round 64 on just an hour of sleep. His team spirit overshadowed when he played his Saturday Round at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Ogilvy celebrated by playing in the team colours of red, black and white when the Saints beat Geelong in the first playoff week.
This year, Ogilvy says that it’s a big year for the team since it has only won once in 140 years. He says that if St. Kilda wins, many people will leave the Melbourne Cricket Ground (where the game is being held) crying. With 100,000 people there, Geoff is extremely excited for the game. Just like everyone else, sportsmen have a right to adore sports that they don’t play
The football fanatic slipped from leading the championship from the first round when he combined good hits with some ordinary shots. Geoff carded seven birdies and four bogeys. Even after having had little sleep before the third round, Ogilvy is eyeing the victory of the Tour Championship. He thinks he is in good form. He did agree that some shots that he played today weren’t very impressive but then again there were some notable moments as well. He reassures that he is putting well and when a player putts well, he can surely win the golf tournament.
Being a faithful fan of the AFL since he was ten, sleep shouldn’t be an issue, since the Australian is scheduled to tee off at 11:15 am on Saturday.
The second day of the championship ended with Luke Donald and Jim Furyk leading. Being at number 11, Jim had a bogey-free back nine to give the tournament’s best 65. There is a high possibility that Furyk will take the season-ending prize home on Sunday.
Luke Donald, who was also leading in the first day, had some swing problems during the second round. Donald still managed to be in the lead by carding a 66.
Matt Kuchar, who started the Tour Championship with the most points in the FedEx Cup standings, gave a very disappointing finish at the end of the second round. Kuchar had the best chance of winning the $10 Million bonus however not having broken the par in either of the two rounds, his chances appear to get slimmer by the day.
Another fellow Australian who performed well was Jason Day. He ended the second round with a 69. Day will not play in Australia at the end of the year due to a sinus surgery in October.
As for Ogilvy, everyone will be eager to see how the bleary-eyed football will perform on the third day. With the final of the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup approaching, things are bound to get even more exciting.
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