There are stories that don’t need to lift a trophy to take all the limelight. The one of Brad Dalke at the BMW International Open is already one of them. The American, invited by the sponsors, arrived at the Golfclub München Eichenried as a YouTube golfer and after 36 holes is just one shot off the lead in a three-million-dollar tournament on the DP World Tour that features a good handful of major champions
Dalke posted a 66 on Friday to sit at a total of nine under par, in a tie for second. After two rounds, in his debut on the European circuit, he sits ahead on the leaderboard of names such as Joaquín Niemann, Marco Penge and Sergio García. Not bad for someone who, until last week, was a member of Good Good Golf, one of the most powerful channels in the golf phenomenon on YouTube
His is not just a sporting story. Dalke explained recently that he wanted to spend more time with his wife, Abbie, who has suffered very serious health problems over the last year. She is in Munich this week following him from outside the ropes, alongside a sizeable group of loyal supporters. Inside the ropes, his brother Tommy carries the bag. And for now, they are all having a great time
“I have no expectations”, Dalke explained after his 66. “In the first two days I think I’ve done a very good job in that regard. Obviously, by the end of yesterday and today, the cut line and the idea of trying to climb the leaderboard naturally get into your head. I’m getting a bit tense, but I try to play without expectations”
That seems to be the key to his week. Dalke doesn’t want to turn Munich into an obligation, but into an opportunity. “It’s when I play my best golf, when I’m having fun and enjoying playing. It’s something I’ve learned a lot from YouTube. When I’m out there having fun, that’s usually what I’m after. I want to enjoy myself. If I have a terrible day, then that’s it. It’s golf. It’s part of the game”
You might think Dalke has nothing to lose. He’s not a member of the DP World Tour, he’s not involved in the usual race of those who fight every week to retain playing rights and he doesn’t live this tournament as just another stop in a typical professional season. But the pressure exists. It’s different, but it exists
“There’s a lot of pressure because I want to represent myself and, in some way, represent YouTube golf”, he noted. “The reality is there are very good golfers in YouTube golf and I think we’re starting to show it with my performance so far here and with Ryan Ruffles a couple of months ago”, he added in reference to the Australian, who finished 45th in the Myrtle Beach Classic on the PGA Tour
“It’s nice to be able to come here and show that I can do it in a tournament. Obviously there are still two days and a lot of golf to go, but there has been some pressure and I’m proud of how I’ve handled it”, he explained
Dalke didn’t, in fact, appear out of nowhere. Let’s not be mistaken. He was a very promising junior player, won a tournament during his time at the University of Oklahoma and was runner-up at the US Amateur in 2016. Afterwards, when he turned professional, he had a lot of problems with his driver. His path veered towards social media, where he built a huge audience
Interestingly, he believes that turn ended up helping his golf. “I worked really hard”, he admitted about that difficult period. “It didn’t improve, it actually got worse, and that’s why I ended up getting into YouTube. Honestly, in some aspects, especially with ball striking, the less I practise, the better. Less overthinking”
Dalke doesn’t present himself as a player who spends five hours a day on the practice area. His method is different. “I’m not out there grinding five hours a day, putting and chipping. Lately I have worked more to prepare, but I love getting out on the course and playing. That’s how I improve. On YouTube, even when we’re filming, we play a lot of golf. It’s not for everyone, but for me I feel YouTube is better for my game because it allows me to be on the course”
And if this story ends up opening a real door onto the tour? Dalke doesn’t rule it out, although he doesn’t want to deceive himself either. He has no intention of getting into the grind of trying to climb up from the bottom via PGA Tour Americas or the Korn Ferry Tour. His current life is working for him
“YouTube has been very good in recent years”, he acknowledged. “I’m at a point where I’m doing well enough on YouTube that I don’t need to go grind on PGA Tour Americas or the Korn Ferry Tour. It’s not what I want to do, because there’s not much money there, it’s very stressful and there’s a lot of travel. I’m in a good position with YouTube, so I’m not going to try to climb up from the bottom”
Another matter would be if golf put a card in front of him. There he would have no doubts. “If I came to an event like this and played well, and could somehow build from that, or if I play the Rocket Classic in a month’s time, do well and something comes of it… If I had a tour card, it would be incredible. I’d play one hundred per cent. That’s been my dream since I was little, to play competitive golf. And my game is finally at a point where I feel I can do it and do it well”
For now, Dalke has two rounds ahead in Munich to keep feeding one of the most curious stories of the BMW International Open. The YouTube golfer is one shot off the lead in a DP World Tour event. Without expectations, he says. With everyone watching, says the leaderboard
