Amateur Ford drives to the front in Dubai
UNC golfer shared first-round lead; Erik Compton is still going as a teacher in Miami
22-year-old lefty amateur David Ford enjoyed from atop Dubai leaderboard (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
David Ford is not a household name in golf circles unless you delve deep into the amateur game.
So, there was a pause when his name was at the top of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard along with Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Australia’s David Micheluzzi.
Of course, the Portuguese and Australian pros are also not household names. But Ford is a 22-year-old amateur, so shooting a 7-under 65 in the first round at Emirates Golf Club — with a field that has Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Adam Scott — is pretty remarkable.
For some background, the University of North Carolina Tar Heel is ranked No. 6 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and was part of the 2023 U.S. Walker Cup team that won at the Old Course in St. Andrews.
Not a bad pedigree coming into Dubai, but his eagle, six birdies and a lone bogey were unexpected — even by Ford.
“I try to keep my expectations low,” Ford said Thursday. “I know where my game is at right now and I have got a lot of people around me believing in me, which is really helpful going into this week.”
Ford commented that he tried to have fun and use a similar theory he deployed in college events to keep everything simple.
Of course, that is easier said than done, but when the ball keeps finding the bottom of the cup, the preparation kicks in and the game becomes much easier.
“I got a couple putts to fall that I didn’t know were going to go in and hit a lot of good iron shots.,” Ford said after his round. “I love where the pins were set up today. I felt like a lot of them fit my eye. Overall, solid. Definitely missed a few shots and want a few swings back but overall, felt good about it.”
What’s astonishing about players still in college is their no-fear attitude and the ability to perform at the highest level in an environment that you would think would be scary and over their heads.
Luke Clanton, the WAGR No. 1 and prolific collegian from Florida State, has shown that his ability is far beyond that of the amateur game. Clanton made the cut in seven of nine professional starts including the U.S. Open and posted four top-10s and runner-up finishes at the John Deere and RSM Classics.
A year ago this week, then Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap became the first amateur in 33 years since Phil Mickelson to win a PGA Tour at the 2024 American Express.
Of course, there are three rounds to go for Ford in Dubai, and defending champion McIlroy is only five shots back as he tries to win the DDC for the fifth time.
“First competitive round of the year, first competitive round in a while,” McIlroy said after a lackluster 70. “A little uncomfortable over some shots. Definitely not as comfortable as I was in practice and coming in here.”
Can Ford maintain the level of fun he had on Thursday as the tournament progresses and marquee players start applying pressure on the leaderboard?
No matter what happens, Ford seems to have a bright future.
“The plan right now is to turn pro in May after the (NCAA) national championship,” Ford said of his future plans after UNC. “Things could change. But yeah, right now, from the outside looking in, I think just planning to turn pro in May. Until then, just play a lot of golf, hang out with the team, and have a lot of fun.”
Double heart transplant recipient Erik Compton has traded in touring for teaching (Brennan Asplen/Getty Images)
Stray Shot: Straight outta Coral Gables
By Peter Kaufman
As we continue to wait impatiently for Augusta and the Masters to arrive, we have some time to reflect on some golf human interest stories.
If you follow golf, you may not remember his name but you’ll know his story — heart transplants, winner on several tours including European, Canadian and Korn Ferry, and runner-up in the 2014 US Open. He is the miracle man, perhaps as great a feel-good story as golf has seen, truly. He’s also had some personal life issues that have been resolved but unfortunately played out in public a bit in 2023.
He is Erik Compton, 45 years old but lucky to be alive. No. 1 amateur in the world at age 18 (and then a Georgia Bulldog and Walker Cupper). Had a heart transplant at 12 and again at 29. Really? Two heart transplants and a world-class golfer?
And while he still has tour-caliber game, he is now spending time these days in his hometown of Miami teaching at the famed Jim McLean Golf Academy at the Biltmore in Coral Gables.