West Ham United legends Jack Collison and Anton Ferdinand swung into the iconic TPC Sawgrass for a golf lesson on Friday morning.
TPC Sawgrass, located in Ponte Vedra Beach in northeast Florida, is home to THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament – known as the ‘fifth major’ – and Collison and Ferdinand paid a visit as part of West Ham’s Sunshine State Tour. The Irons will take on Premier League rivals at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville on Saturday at ypm EDT, and tickets are available HERE.
The Hammers greats were welcomed by Todd Anderson, Director of Instruction at the PGA TOUR's Performance Center, one of the best golf teachers in the United States, and swing coach to West Ham fan and 2024 Open Championship runner-up Billy Horschel, himself a Floridian who lives nearby.
Anderson spent time on the range with beginner Ferdinand, teaching him the fundamentals, including how to grip the club, his posture, stance, backswing and balance. They then used a radar tracker to measure the former defender’s swing and shots.
Collison, meanwhile, is a keen golfer and needed less direction as he hit balls straight and true, earning praise from his illustrious instructor.
After their lessons, Anderson took the duo to Sawgrass’s par-three, 128-yard 17th, known as the ‘Island Green’, one of golf's most recognisable and difficult holes.
Collison hit an outstanding tee shot and made a mightily impressive par, while Ferdinand’s incredible improvement under Anderson’s tuition also saw him land a tee shot on the green – and a fair few in the water! – only to three-putt and make a bogey!
“I think they did amazing,” Anderson smiled. “They were great students, they listened well and applied the stuff we worked on and played this tough golf hole.
“For Anton, someone who hasn’t played a lot of golf, it’s a very intimidating hole, so to step up and execute a great shot was amazing. Unfortunately, he three-putted to make a bogey, but four is not a bad score. There are a lot of players down the years who would love to have made a four. Then, JC had a great look at making a birdie.
“It’s nice, because when you work with great players, you’re not far from their ceiling, but working with these guys who are down at the floor, they have a lot of room to grow and improve. I hope I gave them some inspiration to play some more golf and have a little bit more fun.”
Anderson has coached well-known sportspeople before, with tennis legend Ivan Lendl and NFL stars Chad Ochocinco and Marshall Faulk among his pupils, while he is close friends with Horschel, who has himself become a huge Hammer since his college days at the University of Florida.
“It was great being with the guys and I hope West Ham has a great year this year,” he continued. “I know Billy is 100 per cent behind you and hopefully you’ll all have a great season and come back and see us again.
“Billy is a big Hammer. He’s looking at the players you hope to sign, the coaching, and follows the team and watches as many games as he can. I don’t think you’ll find anyone who is as big a fan as Billy! He carries a West Ham bag when he plays a lot of the year, so he’s very passionate about the team and rooting for them to do well.
“The support he gets in Europe, all the West Ham fans cheer for him over there, so it’s great to see that camaraderie and relationship he’s formed with the Club.”
Collison was grateful to spend time with Anderson and to be given the opportunity to play at one of the world’s best golf courses – and par its most iconic hole!
“It was amazing!” beamed Collison, who is a 14-handicapper. “Most footballers love golf, so obviously to come out here and see the course in all its beauty was stunning. We appreciate the tips Todd gave us, and it was great for us to see the little tweaks and the difference they made.
“To get on the 17th and hit a couple of good shots was special. You can imagine what it’s like on Sunday at THE PLAYERS with a big crowd and the pressure, I bet that green shrinks!
“With Billy repping West Ham on the tour, I think he’s got a lot of fans behind him and it’s a really nice link now!”
West Ham United would like to thank TPC Sawgrass, Todd Anderson and Billy Horschel for welcoming us so warmly.
