Humiliation begets humiliation, especially in the world of fantasy football. So for one fantasy manager, finishing last meant entering a new competition where he stood even less of a chance to succeed. That competition, according to a story by ESPN, was a U.S. Open qualifier. And let’s just our guy didn’t have the time of his life.
John Eckert, the fantasy manager who brought up the rear in the SHIVA league, played in the U.S. Open qualifier at Oakwood Country Club in Kansas City, Mo., and again came in last place with a 40-over 112.
Finishing 40 strokes back of the two winners, Eckert did manage to par four holes, but that only means he averaged somewhere between a double and triple bogey over the other 14 holes. It was an absolutely brutal time for his caddie and playing partners, who also had to wait for him at tee time because he went to the wrong hole.
A local golfer was forced to play in a @usopengolf qualifier as punishment for losing his fantasy football league. 😳 pic.twitter.com/kOvB9wp09k
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 10, 2022
A guy lost his fantasy football league and had to ply US Open locals…and it didn’t go well. pic.twitter.com/A4VjaqPfr0
— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) May 10, 2022
Eckert told ESPN he plays about once a month when the weather is nice and normally scores in the low 90s, so clearly he wasn’t on his game. The injuries excuse he used for his 2021 fantasy performance won’t apply here.
USGA rules require amateurs to have a handicap of 1.4 or lower to play in U.S. Open qualifiers, but Eckert was able to enter by designating himself as a pro player on the registration form. By doing so, he waived his ability to become an amateur in the future (LOL). In one fell swoop, he paid off his fantasy debt, added another last-place finish to his career record, and according to ESPN, likely forfeited his ability to compete in future USGA events because of his high score.
This is one of the best punishments I’ve ever seen attached to a fantasy league. And for as frustrating as his struggles must’ve been out there, I’m sure (I think) Eckert had to relish the experience and probably doesn’t regret a second of it.
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