Josele Ballester went out to play nine practice holes today, Wednesday, with Jason Day less than 24 hours before the start of the US Open. Mano a mano. Spectacular dance partner. Winner of the PGA Championship 2015, nearly 20 top 10 finishes in Majors, five of them in the US Open, and World Number One for more than 50 weeks. In fact, one of those players who needs no introduction. When Josele was born in 2003, the Australian was already winning tournaments as an amateur. They played from 1 to 9.
Hats off to Jason Day. He made it very easy for Josele from the first minute. At the start of the first hole, it was he who approached the young Spaniard to break the ice. From there, everything was very cordial, pleasant, and interesting. The champion of thirteen tournaments on the PGA Tour took an interest in Josele, his life, his recent signing with LIV Golf, his game, and even his concerns. The round was invaluable. He was very approachable and charming.
The atmosphere of the match helped, and Josele decided to share with him something about his game that has been bothering him a bit in recent weeks. It was while they were walking down the fairway of the 5th hole. Specifically, he referred to bunker shots around the green, recoveries from the sand. The golfer from Castellón hasn’t been feeling comfortable lately in this area, as if he had lost some feeling. He confessed this to Day and asked if he could take a look and give him some advice. Jason didn’t hesitate. Not bad considering Day is one of the best in the world in this specialty. He was once the second-best on the PGA Tour in sand saves in his best years and is usually well above average.
Upon reaching the green of the 5th, Day himself suggested to Josele to get into a bunker and see what was happening. Why wait any longer? They were in there for about 10 minutes. The Spaniard was making shots, and the Australian was watching closely. It was a quick bunker lesson with a World Number One. Not bad. Without looking at the clock. Whatever the debutant needed in the US Open. Day is playing his thirteenth.
The lesson ended with some very technical advice, a bit tricky to explain here. “Basically, he corrected something about my stance in front of the ball and recommended making the swing a bit more ‘shallow‘”, Josele himself told Ten Golf after finishing the practice round. More shallow means making the swing a bit flatter and more horizontal. It’s still an explosion shot, but the aim is to work the club’s belly a bit more and better through the sand.
Josele listened attentively and incorporated it immediately. From everything he was told, he processed what could really help him the most and put it into practice until the end. At the end, Day asked Josele if it had helped him, if he felt more comfortable. As mentioned, a ten out of ten behaviour. He didn’t do it out of obligation or to brush him off. He dedicated time, made an effort to help him, and even followed up afterward. Hats off. After the practice round, Josele spent some time in the short game area at Oakmont to try to consolidate those tips, although he quickly felt more comfortable.
By the way, Josele completed nine very good practice holes. He hit the ball very well. He felt comfortable. He made three birdies, on holes 4, 7, and 8. Yes, on the 8th, the very long par 3. He hit the mini driver from the tee and sank a long putt of about eleven metres. Mini driver, Josele… Be very careful with the little monster. The best news is that the feelings are better, and that always helps before starting a US Open, especially at Oakmont.
