The last few months have been something of a thrill ride for Harold Varner III. The high moments have been among his highest on the PGA Tour. A top-20 finish in the first event back after the pandemic break. A share of the first-round lead and a T-7 finish at the Wyndham Invitational. A major milestone passed in topping $6 million in career earnings.
But the dips are still there, too. He failed to make either of the cuts in Columbus. He’s had more than his share of yips with the putter, finishing the recently completed 2019-20 season at 141st in Strokes Gained: Putting.
And although he keeps slowly climbing, he’s yet to crack into the Tour’s winner’s circle, and in fact, still doesn’t have a runner-up on his resume.
On top of the world one minute; wondering what’s gone wrong the next.
So … Vegas.
“I think Vegas fits my personality more than the golf course, but that’s nor here or there,” Varner joked after starting things off in style on Thursday with a 63, good enough to trail leader Bryson DeChambeau by a stroke at TPC Summerlin. “Yeah, I’ve played well here. I just would like to — like to just finish a tournament. It’s just good to get back in the swing of things. I love competition, so it was good to get back in it.
“I was a little nervous at the start, which is really weird, but it is what it is.”
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Varner, who was born in Akron, Ohio, but grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina, went all-in on the back nine, finishing with six birdies en route to a scintillating 31 after the turn at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He was by no means alone in posting a solid number — more than 20 players posted a round of 66 or lower — but Varner said he isn’t too concerned with how others are playing.
In fact, he said in terms of motivation, he doesn’t need to peek at the leaderboard.
“My foot is pretty far up my butt by the time I start, so we’re ready to go. What do I need to do? I play golf. If he plays good and I play good, I like my chances,” Varner said.
So will he be worried if he sees another group of low numbers as he tees off at 4:05 p.m. ET with Harris English and Henrik Norlander?
“If you tee off in the afternoon and you see that, you just know there is a lot of looks out there. So be patient and good things will happen. Not so much kick yourself in the rear end, but you got to make birdies,” Varner said.
“I don’t mind it. My rookie year I would overthink it for sure because you want to play well so bad. The best thing you can do when it’s this easy is just be patient. You never know when you’re going to rip five or six off.”
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