Matthew Wolff, in competition on the US Open, opens up on psychological well being
https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/property/210618232155-matthew-wolff-us-open-0617-super-tease.jpg
Previous to this main occasion, Wolff, who has had a rocky season, had taken two months off from the PGA Tour to give attention to his psychological well being.
“I would say I got here right here with very, very — I would say no expectations,” the 22-year-old golfer mentioned after taking pictures a 3-under-par 68 on Friday at Torrey Pines in San Diego, California, trailing Russell Henley and Richard Bland. “I would say my expectations coming right here have been to take pleasure in it and be blissful, and I did not even know if I used to be going to have the ability to try this.
“Fortunately, I’m, in addition to taking part in nicely. It is a fantastic place I am in. I am contending on the US Open, and I am very blissful proper now and having fun with it, however I do know there’s going to be instances that I am not having fun with it as a lot or not taking part in as nicely. For these instances, that is what I am attempting to work for and work towards and form of put together earlier than it occurs.”
In April, Wolff was disqualified from the Masters when he signed an incorrect scorecard. Earlier than that, he had withdrawn from two tournaments: the Farmers Insurance coverage Open in January (he cited a hand harm after taking pictures a 78 within the opening spherical) and the WGC-Workday Championship at The Concession in February after a rating of 83 within the first spherical. He did not play within the PGA Championship in Could.
On Friday, Wolff advised reporters he by no means was coping with a hand harm. He additionally admitted that on Thursday and Friday, even after taking part in nicely, he wished to remain in mattress.
“I wished to be like the place I used to be snug, not within the highlight,” Wolff mentioned. “It is superior that I got here out right here and performed nicely, however I feel extra importantly, I am simply getting nearer to being extra snug and being blissful and having fun with it. I really feel like I’ve achieved an excellent job of having fun with it, however I’ve nonetheless received an extended solution to go to maintain a degree head. I am going to most likely be engaged on the identical factor that I am engaged on now for the remainder of my profession.”
Based on Wolff, nearly as good as his life is on the PGA Tour, “there’s additionally loads of stress and strain that comes together with it, and it received to me,” he mentioned.
“Trying again on it, it is at all times straightforward to be like, gosh, you are simply overreacting. However within the second, it is a lot, a lot more durable to be from an outdoor perspective, and that is form of what I am attempting to give attention to and simply having fun with myself, which is sweet.”
Wolff, who was runner-up on the US Open in 2020, was requested if it will change him ought to he win this occasion, which might be his first main title.
He answered that he does not suppose it would not change him in any respect.
“I can not categorical it sufficient that my scores up there, despite the fact that I am blissful proper now, 4-under par, one off the lead or no matter, I actually might care much less about that proper now,” Wolff mentioned.
“I do know you would possibly suppose I am bulls—ting you, however I am not. I am actually simply out right here attempting to have time and luxuriate in myself. Like I mentioned, even this morning, I felt like I used to be struggling to get off the bed as a result of I used to be simply wanting to remain in a protected spot, and it is simply arduous. Proper now absolutely the solely factor that I am specializing in is having fun with myself and being blissful on the market. It is most likely not a coincidence that I am taking part in nicely once I’m doing that, however that is the principle focus this whole week and possibly for some time.”