AUGUSTA, Ga. - Someone's throwing it at the Warner residence tonight, and the money safe is on the youngest member of the family.
Although he is playing in his first Masters, Harold Warner III looks nothing like a nervous rookie. On Friday, he posted his second-straight one-under 71 at Augusta National Golf Club, and his two-under 142 total put him in contention over the weekend. Winner earlier this year at the Saudi International, which put him in the top 50 in the world rankings and a Masters Invitational, Warner appears so relaxed you won't know he's playing in just his ninth Major at age 31. are.
But when asked how he is handling the pressure, he got the right response.
"Emotions are real, but you handle and manage them," he said. "My wife and my baby [Liam] are here, so I'm going to squeeze him. He's going to hit me, and it's going to be great."
A native of Akron, Ohio, who grew up and now lives in Charlotte, Warner made some interesting revelations Friday. For example, he doesn't keep a yardage book, relying entirely on his caddy Chris Rice, who carries one for yardage and advice. And Warner hasn't used the locker room at the famed Augusta National Clubhouse once this week, opting for a change in the caddy room. In fact, he likes it.
“The best part is that I didn't have to go to the locker room. I literally turn up in the caddy room, and I leave my stuff," he explained. "I like to do that at regular tournaments, and I've only been to the locker room once to see if some shoes showed up. are, and I have to go back again. I don't know, it makes it easier on me. ,
Warner, 31, has yet to win on the PGA Tour, although he has continued to win the 2016–17 Australian PGA Championship with his dramatic win in Saudi Arabia, in which he defeated two 92-foot eagles The put was sunk - Time Masters Champion Bubba Watson with a jolt. He carries with him the philosophy of "winning breeds" in the final two rounds and hints that he's not interested in just walking around to smell the azalea.
When you count basketball great Michael Jordan among your friends and mentors, the winning attitude is probably a natural one.
"It's been a good experience, but the best experience is playing well," said Warner, trying to break the Masters rookie jinx that goes back to Fuzzy Zoller in 1979. "It's completely selfish, and I'm okay with that."