SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Adam Thielen walked off the final hole of Wednesday’s pro-am at the WM Phoenix Open to a throng of adoring Minnesota Vikings fans, many of them donning his No. 19 jersey.
They hoped to get an autograph from Thielen, two-time NFL Pro Bowl receiver.
But might he someday walk the course as Adam Thielen, professional golfer?
The game’s certainly not unfamiliar to the NFL star. He was a member of the 2007 state championship golf team while at Detroit Lakes High School in Minnesota. He’s toiled at a number of charity events while between training sessions and has steadily climbed through the ranks, finishing in the top 12 at last year’s American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. And he’s been known in golf circles for wearing a stylish pair of Happy Gilmore shoes during the 2021 LPGA Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.
On Wednesday at TPC Scottsdale, Thielen made his WM Phoenix Open debut and was paired with Brooks Koepka, who was clearly impressed by his playing partner.
“We were laughing about it, my team — Jeff Pierce and my caddie Ricky — we were talking about it. It’s amazing,” Koepka said of Thielen’s skills. “His ball speed is probably in the top 15 out here in ball speeds. I mean, on the last hole it was 179 and change.”
Before you scoff at the thought of Thielen reaching the PGA Tour, remember that few had him pegged to become a franchise receiver. He played football at Division II Minnesota State University, which is located in Mankato.
His perseverance paid off after he was denied an invite to the NFL Combine, as he impressed scouts at a regional combine and eventually found his way on the Vikings practice roster.
Koepka joked that Thielen’s determination, combined with his raw talent, could serve him well in pro golf.
“We were laughing. Give him six, eight months to fine-tune the game and it’s almost like he could play pro golf. He’s just an athlete. Athletes it around,” Koepka said. “He’s good, obviously really good with football, I don’t need to say that, but I think he played baseball.
“I mean, he said he played four sports all the way through high school, so a true athlete right there. Nice guy.”
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