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Florida club professional shares US PGA practice round with European golf royalty
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Florida club professional shares US PGA practice round with European golf royalty

As if teeing it up at the US PGA Championship wasn’t enough for club professional Michael Kartrude, he warmed up for it in extra special style – alongside three of Europe’s most recognised champions.

Michael Kartrude

After winning a four-man, five-hole play-off to secure one of the 20 spots on offer through the annual PGA Professional Championship, the American received a message of congratulations and an invite from Shane Lowry to join him for a practice round at the second Major Championship of the year.

Kartrude is the PGA Lead Assistant Professional at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida, where Lowry and Rory McIlroy are both members.

And while initially planned for Monday afternoon, heavy rain resulted in a change of plan, with McIlroy and fellow multiple Major champion Pádraig Harrington joining for a casual Tuesday round at Quail Hollow.

“It went great. It was awesome watching those three guys,” Kartrude told the DP World Tour.

“I have loved Rory’s game since he jumped onto the scene. I think he is one of the best, obviously. Shane is a great guy too, extremely nice.

“Padraig, a three-time Major Champion as well, I just felt blessed to be in a group of that sort of calibre.”

One of the traditions of the US PGA Championship is that club professionals from across the United States get to compete against the best golfers in the world for a Major title.

And while this may be his Major debut, the 35-year-old is hopeful he can create more stories with his performance this week, like fellow club professional Michael Block memorably did in this championship at Oak Hill in 2023.

“It told me I can play golf here, too, with those guys which is nice to see,” he added.

“If I hit it the way I want to hit it, and really pick apart the golf course, I can play here too just like those guys can. It was fun.”

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