Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has played in multiple NBA All-Star Games, appeared in The Finals and is a perennial MVP candidate. So when even he starts to get nervous about an upcoming event you can tell it means a lot to him.
That was the case this week in Memphis when he took part in the FedEx St. Jude Championship Pro-Am ahead of the PGA Tour’s playoff opener. While Tatum has been playing golf for a few years now — and appears to have a decent swing — the 25-year-old said he was unable to sleep after finding out he was paired up with his favorite golfer: Jon Rahm.
“I think golf is the hardest sport in the world.” 🏀⛳️@JayTatum0 teed it up with his favorite player @JonRahmPGA at his first pro-am @FedExChamp. pic.twitter.com/iY0BqNSWWV
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 11, 2023
“I just hope I don’t embarrass myself,” Tatum said as he was warming up. “I just want to hit a few good balls today.”
Fortunately, Tatum’s first tee shot went down the fairway and helped calm his nerves. It definitely helps that Rahm was by his side to give him a few tips, too.
Even if he’s still relatively new to the sport, Tatum already has the equipment down. The Celtics star was using a custom Scotty Cameron putter stamped with the his son’s nickname, Deuce.
Having the best set of clubs on the golf course certainly counts for something, even if you don’t have the best game out there.