Mistakes On The Golf Course

MISTAKES ON THE GOLF COURSE pull players off their path of trying to win a major title. In the 2002 British Open, Ernie Els overcame a huge blunder and returned to the pack.

The 32-year-old South African led by two strokes as the tournament wound down on the final day. Through 12 holes on Sunday, Els increased the margin to three and appeared to have clinched his third Grand Slam title. But a tee shot into the bunker on 14 led to a bogey. Then a bad drive and a poor chip resulted in a double bogey on 16, leaving the two-time United States Open champion a stroke behind the leader.

However, on the par-5 No. 17, Els reached the green in two and two-putted for birdie. He finished with a par on 18, and for the first time in British Open history, four golfers—Els, Thomas Levet, Stuart Appleby, and Steve Elkington—tied at the top with 278s at the end of regulation.

In the four-hole playoff, Els and Levet posted pars and eliminated Appleby and Elkington, who both went 1-over. Forced into sudden death, the remaining pair returned to the 18th. Levet’s tee shot found a bunker as did Els’s second shot. But the South African blasted from the sand and placed his ball five feet from the hole. While Levet two-putted for bogey, Els sank the 5-footer for par and the victory.

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POINT Ernie Els had the British Open in his grasp. Then things started to fall apart. His shots went astray. Fortunately, the champion managed to turn his game around in time to tie for a playoff spot and then earn the trophy.

Sometimes in life, we stray from God’s prepared path. Like stubborn sheep, we follow whoever or whatever appeals to us most. Eventually, we move so far that we’re lost. But Jesus, the Good Shepherd, always leaves the flock to find the one wandering lamb. He returns us to the safety of his care. Praise God!

GOAL! Practice hitting a golf ball. Does it always go where you want? Ask God to help you go where he wants, and when you don’t, to bring you back into his fold.