We’ve all been there. You’re running late for your tee time, and you’re scurrying to make it on time without being scolded by your municipal course’s crabby ranger.
Now, imagine being tardy for a Korn Ferry Tour start while also being fresh off a plane – without your clubs.
Well, James Nicholas doesn’t have to imagine, because that was his reality on Thursday.
On May 13, Nicholas was the AdventHealth Championship’s 18th alternate. But just five days later, on Wednesday, he received a late-night call that he was now the first alternate for the event in Kansas City, Missouri.
It’s been a wild week… pic.twitter.com/BiXKbwRc8t
— James Nicholas (@_james_nicholas) May 19, 2022
Over 1,000 miles away in Westchester County, New York, and unsure whether he’d even get the chance to play, Nicholas scrambled to find the first flight he could.
“Why would I go when I know it will take a miracle for me to get in?” Nicholas shared on Instagram. “Because it’s my job, and I’ll do anything for just a chance.”
He was then notified that he got the field’s final spot on Thursday at 9:52 a.m, but getting in was half the battle.
The @_james_nicholas breakdown.
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 20, 2022
From New York to Kansas City, Nicholas tee'd up with minutes to spare @AHChampGolf1. pic.twitter.com/T7Qzcarfq4
With time already not on his side, his flight was delayed 90 minutes, to make matters worse. Once he touched down in the Midwest, there was no time to wait for his equipment at the baggage carousel if he wanted to make his afternoon tee time.
How it went down: @_james_nicholas
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 19, 2022
May 13 5PM 18th alt.
May 14 11:30AM 15th alt.
May 15 8:16PM post-reshuffle 18th alt.
May 16 12:43PM 12th alt.
May 16 3:26PM 10th alt.
May 17 9:34AM 9th alt.
May 18 2:07PM 7th alt.
May 18 7:25PM 5th alt.
May 18 11:02PM 1st alt.
May 19 9:52AM IN
Nicholas arrived at Blue Hills Country Club empty-handed, jogging to the first tee with just minutes to spare. However, he didn’t encounter any grumpy club employees. The head club pro lent Nicholas his clubs, and he was provided with shoes, a glove and everything else the former Yale star needed for his second KFT start of 2022.
Nicholas went on to shoot an opening 4-over 76 and sits T-135 after Round 1. However, after all that, just making it to his Thursday tee time should feel like a win.
Just in time ... ⏳@_james_nicholas arrives moments before his tee time after getting one of the last spots in the field @AHChampGolf1. pic.twitter.com/Nb58Kkz47s
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 19, 2022
He had to leave his bag at the airport carousel in order to make it in time.
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 19, 2022
He is playing with the club pro's set of clubs 😳 @_james_nicholas pic.twitter.com/GQjSvlXm6W
UPDATE (May 20, 11:28 a.m. ET): The clubs have been located and Nicholson will have his set for Round 2:
Update: golf clubs secured before the second round @AHChampGolf1 ✅ pic.twitter.com/snSp0reaGF
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 20, 2022
