Professional golfer Ryan McCormick recently made headlines with a drastic decision to help him control his temper on the golf course.
Known for his occasional on-course outbursts, McCormick took an extreme measure by taping his own mouth shut during his round at the Club Car Championship in Savannah, Georgia, on Friday.
The move was a response to his struggles with maintaining composure, as McCormick admitted that he had been battling frustration and anger throughout the season.
In a now-viral video, McCormick shared the motivation behind his decision.
“Been having not-so-fun times this year on the golf course,” he said, acknowledging his anger issues.
“Pretty angry and mad. So I figured I’d try something different… I just figured I’d shut myself up. So I put tape over my mouth.”
The Bane Moment
As he played with tape over his mouth, McCormick couldn’t help but compare the experience to the fictional character Bane from The Dark Knight Rises, humorously saying, “I felt like Bane, like Batman, muzzle myself.”
While it was clear McCormick wasn’t proud of his unorthodox tactic, he admitted that he was hoping it would serve as a reminder to keep quiet and not let his emotions take over.
Despite the unique approach, McCormick was honest about the uncertain results. “Can’t say that it did or didn’t help,” he remarked.
“It certainly makes you breathe.” The golfer acknowledged that the experience wasn’t ideal for him or his fellow competitors.
“I don’t want to create an experience for my playing partners that’s not fair,” he said, explaining that the move was simply his way of dealing with a difficult situation.
A Disappointing Outcome
Unfortunately for McCormick, the mouth-taping strategy didn’t lead to a positive result on the scoreboard.
He finished the round at +1, still four shots behind the cut line and ultimately failing to make the cut for the tournament.
His frustration continued, but it seemed that the drastic step didn’t provide the breakthrough he was hoping for.
Mixed Reactions from Fans
McCormick’s unusual tactic didn’t sit well with many fans, some of whom took to social media to express their disdain.
Critics accused him of seeking attention and called his actions childish.
No sponsor should want to touch the ‘basket case’ that is @McCormick__Ryan.”
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “What a complete and utter joke! Imagine being an adult and doing something this childish for the whole world to see.
Another user added, “This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
Anything for clicks, Ryan I guess.” Despite the backlash, McCormick remained resolute in his attempt to find a solution to his ongoing struggles with anger and focus on the golf course.
A Tough Year for McCormick
This stunt comes at a challenging time in McCormick’s career.
After spending the entire 2024 season on the PGA Tour, he was relegated to the Korn Ferry Tour after finishing 161st in the FedEx Cup standings.
With pressure mounting and expectations high, McCormick is clearly seeking ways to regain his focus and return to his best form.
While the tape-over-mouth incident may have drawn criticism, it’s clear that McCormick is determined to find a way to overcome his frustrations and get back on track in his professional career.