Mississippi’s Jackson 2013 saw Davis Riley stand between a chance to compete for the U.S. Junior Amateur championship and twenty-eight feet, two words, and integrity.
It moved.
That is what the Hattiesburg native, who was 16 at the time, admitted to opponent and current world number one golfer, Scottie Scheffler, as well as rules official Skip Giston. When he addressed the ball as he was getting ready to putt from just off the green on the last hole of match play, it had rolled a little.
As a result, Riley lost one stroke. He gave up Scheffler’s short putt, giving Scheffler a 3 and 2 count to win the event.
It moved.
Riley remarked, “It sure does feel like a lifetime ago,” on Tuesday as he took a break from Sanderson Farms Championship putter practice at The Country Club of Jackson. The Sanderson Farms Championship gets underway on Thursday.
Riley’s match against Cameron Champ and fellow Alabama alum Trey Mullinax begins at 7:38 a.m. on that day.
“It was all enjoyable.”
Riley was reminded of the day in late May at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, where Scheffler saw the former win the Colonial National Invitational, also known as the Charles Schwab Challenge, with front-row seats.
Riley shot a 14-under-par round to win his first individual PGA Tour event alongside the other player. At 9 under, Scheffler tied for second place.
Riley grinned and added, “A video leaked again.” “Looking back on that, it was kind of amusing.”
Does Scheffler ever bring up that day in 2013 with anyone?
Riley answered, “Not really.”
That honor goes to Will Zalatoris, a Texas-born golfer who defeated Riley to win the 2014 Junior Amateur championship.
Riley, who tied for 13th in the 2022 PGA Championship and qualified for the U.S. Open three times, stated, “I probably hear it a little bit more from him than from Scottie.” Everything is done for enjoyment. It was a fun moment.
However, Riley is now in exclusive company with Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods after to his two second-place performances. They are the only athletes who have participated in both of the junior amateur championship games.
“To win the Masters, you must finish on this hole.”
According to Google Maps, The Country Club of Jackson and Canebrake Country Club in Hattiesburg are separated by exactly 100 miles, the most of which is on U.S. 49.
Riley, 27, grew up in the latter, looking out over the ninth fairway from his family’s house.
However, Riley’s visit to his own state this week is not a return visit.
This has to do with business. About trying to add the winner’s share of $1.368 million to his bank account. Putting to bed after tied for 39th place in 2020, not making the cut for the previous three years here.
Still, when Riley is here, the memories of home come flooding back.
When Riley was four or five years old, he started to wear down a 200-yard trail from his house to the driving range, which was located one hundred miles away from Jackson. where his dreams of becoming a golfer began. Before enrolling at Alabama, he attended Presbyterian Christian School, where he won four individual state titles.
In 2019, he became a professional.
Riley remarked, “You know, playing matches with friends, ‘This is the final hole to win the Masters,’ and things like that.” This is the location we have always desired. I occasionally have to pinch myself because I’m actually living out my dream.
