“I Think the World of Him,” Former Oklahoma Star Tripp Davis on Patrick Welch
Former Oklahoma golf star Tripp Davis “thinks the world” of Rhode Island native and current OU star Patrick Welch.
Speaking at The International in Bolton as part of a media event to show off the new course, GolfNewsRI asked the former NCAA All-American what he thought of Patrick and his game.
“I know Patrick very well, and I think the world of him. He was struggling a little bit, and I like to take credit for this, but he was playing in the Jones Cup and I was working in Atlanta and he and Chris Gotterup, and I think Logan McAllister, the three of them played. I drove down and followed Patrick in just a miserable weather day, followed him all 18 holes. Afterwards I tried to pump him up a bit and he won three weeks later so I like to take credit for that,” said Davis.
Welch had a rough year in 2021, finding himself benched for the majority of Oklahoma’s NCAA Tournament run.
But this year, he has bounced back, winning the Southern Highlands Collegiate and earning a PGA Tour start later this year.
As the Sooners get set to head back to the NCAA Championship, Welch will play an important role in their success.
“The kid’s got more grit than I’ve ever seen in a college golfer. I don’t know what he is ranked in the country, but if you watched him play and you looked at all the physicals you would say ‘this kids probably not going to make it at the next level,’ but he has some intangibles that are outstanding,” Davis added.
Welch finished fifth in the NCAA Regional in Norman, Oklahoma this week posting rounds of 69, 72 and 69.
The NCAA Championship is set for May 27-June 1 at Grayhawk Golf Club.
Tripp Davis & Associates: Golf Architecture renovated The International’s Oaks Course. Tripp was at the event to discuss the course, the changes and more.
Read GolfNewsRI’s review of The International HERE