SPORTS: PGA Player Profile
There’s a new star on Tour, and Canadian Graham DeLaet is more than willing to take on the role.
By Bob Weeks, Editorial Director, SCOREGolf
It takes an honest guy to admit to crying but Graham DeLaet said he did just that when he opened some mail earlier this year.
The native of Weyburn, Sask., tore open an envelope that held a special invitation inside – one to play the Masters.
“I opened it up and read it twice,” said DeLaet, “and tears started coming to my eyes. It was a total dream come true, such a special moment in my life. I can’t wait to get down there.”
The invite to play in the year’s first major is just one of a flurry of indicators that DeLaet has made it to the top ranks in the world of golf. In addition to the Masters, he’ll play the other three majors and all the lucrative World Golf Championship events. He’s soared up the world rankings and started his PGA Tour season with five top-10 finishes in his first nine events.
It’s been a remarkable two years for DeLaet and one that’s come from a lot of hard work.
“I felt like I have done a lot, off the golf course, on the golf course and it’s nice to see it paying off,” he stated. “I’ve been playing well and that’s all you can really do. The game feels pretty good and I’m excited for this year.”
While Canadian golf fans were well aware of DeLaet’s talent, his Hello World party might have been last Fall’s President’s Cup where he went 3-1-1, and showed off his emotional side with some vociferous, fist-pumping, high-fiving celebrations.
“He’s very intense,” said Jason Day, who partnered with DeLaet in four matches at that event. “All he wants to do is win. I think that comes from his hockey background.”
What’s remarkable about the Canadian’s game is that he’s never had a formal golf lesson and doesn’t work with a swing coach. While he relies on former PGA Tour player Gabriel Hjertstedt for help with his short game, he goes it alone with the rest.
“That’s all I know,” said DeLaet. “That’s the way I’ve always done it. I look at guys who are working with coaches all the time and I think ‘Man how can you hit the ball straight when you’re thinking about [all that stuff]. That’s just not in my makeup.”
With all the success has come lots of attention. It’s come from golf companies who want to align themselves with the rising star – he signed deals with Puma Golf and Shaw Communications in the off-season while remaining with Titleist for his equipment – and from fans, who want to see him. It’s almost impossible for DeLaet to go a week on Tour without seeing someone in the gallery with a Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey.
Overall, he’s handling everything with the ease of a veteran, focusing on golf first and foremost. He and his wife Ruby are enjoying life and his rise up the ranks. The way he’s playing, he better get used to it.
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