Emiliano Grillo and the Most Courageous Round of the Year

Emiliano Grillo led the Africa Open by two strokes going into the final round.  He lost all of that lead and more before he reached the first green on Sunday.

When the carnage was over, the 21-year-old Argentine had carded a 9 on the opening par-4 hole.  His equilibrium gone, he lost two more shots on the front nine, making the turn  in 43 strokes.  But Grillo didn’t hang his head and cry.  He picked up the pieces, and shot a 30 on the back, finishing with five straight birdies.  43-30.  He turned +7 into +2, finishing T-5, just two strokes out of the lead.  Today was a tough learning experience, no doubt, but it is something he can build on in the future.

My hat is off to the youngster; it would have been very easy to give up on his round.  He showed a lot of courage to fight back the way he did; you can be sure we’ll be hearing a lot more from him in the future.  (For the record: my daughters — and wife! — have informed me he’s easy on the eyes.)