Roger Chapman hopes for a good run after a nightmare trip
For a golfer who has won just once on the European Tour in 618 Tour events, the news for playing in the seasons last major would have come as a big surprise. Roger Chapman, the 53-year-old Englishman is all set to play in the year ending major, the PGA Championship
in Kiawah Island.
This entry into the tournament is mainly due to his two recent victories, the Senior PGA title in May and the Senior US Open title.
Chapman is currently in the form of his life, he is playing the best golf he has ever played. This will be his first ever participation in a major event. However, getting a place in the PGA Championship was tough but probably getting to the Ocean Course
in South Carolina was even tougher.
Chapman had a nightmare trip to Kiawah Island. During his 53 years of life, he has never had such an experience.
While on his way Kiawah, Chapman lost his complete kit. All the clubs his suitcase, everything was gone. He landed at Kiawah empty handed. However, he found his suit case and golf kit later but it was some serious trouble for him.
"I left London at 12 o'clock on Sunday and got here 2.30 Monday afternoon," Chapman said. "I lost my clubs, lost my suitcase, so apart from that everything is great!"
His flight from England to Washington was great but things messed up from there on.
"I got to Washington fine. We were due to fly to Charleston at five, then it was delayed until six, then eight, then 10, then 11," he added.
"Then they said 1.20am and eventually at five in the morning they said it is cancelled. We had a mad dash over to Ronald Reagan Airport, got a flight to Savannah and got a courtesy car from there - two hours".
Even after going through such a torrid time, the Englishman was still upbeat. He said that he had nothing to lose. He will go out and enjoy the experience of a major.
He knows that his performance here will not make or break his career, so it does not matter even if he does not make the cut. All that matters to him is the feel of playing in a major tournament.
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