After ANWA’s slow-motion video went viral, Bailey Shoemaker is responding
On Wednesday at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Bailey Shoemaker stepped up. ANWA’s Golf Channel broadcast shows the USC junior as he stands by his tee shot on the 8th hole at the Champions Retreat and struggles to pull the trigger, starting to pull back a few times but failing to look forward.
The video played on a certain type of frustration that golfers – and golf watchers – feel about the game. Here, in one 75-second clip, was a perfect document of how young golfers are losing their game and disrespecting the game – and how tournaments are failing to bring it back. This is nothing new; Recreational golf is plagued by slow play, tournament golf even more so, and professionals who take too long on the ball often catch the ire of spectators.
Shoemaker did not dispute the video’s content. But you also know that there is more to the story.
Speaking to GOLF’s Claire Rogers on site, Shoemaker explained that his club swing struggles stemmed from an arm injury he sustained last year that required him to play through pain and numbness before opting for surgery. He has struggled to integrate the brain-body connection since returning to competitive sport.
“It’s been a year since I’ve been dealing with injuries, so, I mean, there are things that bother me. But, I mean, when you’re dealing with nerves, you’re out of control,” Shoemaker said. “Like, it doesn’t matter what my mind says or does – do you think I want to do it on purpose? I don’t.”
Shoemaker complained about the limitations of one clip.
“It was better today. And, I mean, that was the worst yesterday, it just went too far,” she said. “And I mean you don’t see the whole round.
Shoemaker’s shutout bid fell short after 73 consecutive seconds; his two-round total of 146 was three shots for the most. Shoemaker finished second in the event in 2024 and will be disappointed not to play the final round at Augusta National, although he will play there on Friday during the day of the event. For now, he hopes to stay focused on the bigger story.
“I have a lot of faith in USC and my coaches and trainers and stuff, and I mean they got me here, where I am today,” he said. “I know I keep saying it, and I sound like a broken record, but like last year, I didn’t know if I would still be playing golf.
“I thought I was going to, like, lose my hand, actually, you know? So that’s pretty scary to think about. So, I mean, being in control of my body is good, for once. And just being out here playing is good.”
Rogers also asked if Shoemaker was affected by the attention after his first round. Of course he had – how could anyone? – but he does his best to channel that into determination.
“If there was fuel. I mean, my dad trained me well, to use that as fuel to fuel me a little bit. But I didn’t play too much with it. I mean, I’m happy where I’m at, and I’m jumping the boundaries in my life, and that’s all I really care about.”
Shoemaker found a clear silver lining — “I’m playing Augusta National tomorrow” — even if it was a trying week.
You can watch his comments below.
