Las Vegas, Nevada (May 14, 2012)–Las Vegas PGA Tour player Kevin Na had a lot to deal with at THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP. Some of it was his own doing–waggles not seen since Sergio Garcia a few years ago–while some of it was out of his control including some major heckling. Na finished in the top 10 and is now ready to end his waggle. — By Brian Hurlburt
Na was very upfront during the week about his inability to make a swing without taking several waggles. Many times he had to completely back off in an effort to get his mind in the correct state to make a pass at the ball. Some in the gallery were less than patient with Na, the 2011 champion of Las Vegas' PGA Tour event, the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. "Most of the people were great, but there's always some hecklers out there," Na told the media following the round.
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On the ninth hole, Na even engaged the hecklers, trying to get them to understand the situation. "I was getting ready to get over the ball and you can just hear them saying, 'hit it,' as I just got over the ball," Na said. "And I backed off and they're booing me. I said, 'Look, guys, I backed off because of you guys. It's not like I backed off because I couldn't pull the trigger.' But it is what it is. But I also felt that a lot of people were turning towards me and pulling for me, which I really appreciate. Like I said, I'm going to work on it, and my game is good. I'm playing well. I feel a W coming this year."
Na, who led THE PLAYERS after 54 holes but faded to a tie for seventh following a final-round 76, is committed to improving his mental situation. "I'm going to try to take out the whole waggle, no waggle,: Na said. "I'm going to try to do a little up‑and‑down behind the ball, but it's going to take time, practice and tournaments, and I'm going to try to take out the whole waggle. Honestly, it's going to be a battle. … I appreciate all the people that are rooting for me, and I can hear people rooting for me. There's always that couple guys out there that kind of get on your nerves, but it is what it is, and I'm just going to take the positive and filter through and be happy."