Austin Lemieux, the son of hockey legend Mario Lemieux, just punched his ticket to the big leagues of golf, firing an unbelievable 66 on Monday to qualify for his first-ever PGA Tour event. Talk about making a statement with a number that means something!
That Number 66 Is More Than Just a Score, It’s a Family Legacy
Seriously, a 66? You can’t make this stuff up! Austin, who is 30 years old, crushed that score at The Country Club of Winter Haven in Florida to earn a spot in next week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship. But let’s be real, the “66” isn’t just a great round; it’s a direct shoutout to his iconic dad. Mario Lemieux’s No. 66 is legendary in hockey, chosen as an homage to Wayne Gretzky’s No. 99, just flipped around. Mario racked up 690 goals and 1,033 assists wearing that number, etching it into sports history. Now, Austin is out here making his own mark, carrying that same unforgettable number, but this time with a golf club in his hands instead of a hockey stick. How cool is that?
From Hockey Skates to Golf Spikes: Austin’s Wild Ride to the Show
This isn’t some overnight success story, either. Austin’s journey to the PGA Tour has been a grind. The guy was a hockey player at Arizona State University, but he eventually traded the ice for the links, developing his golf game on the amateur circuit. He’s been building momentum, too, winning a Pennsylvania mid-amateur championship back in September and then snagging another victory on the Minor League Golf Tour in Florida earlier this month. All that hard work set him up for Monday’s breakthrough. The qualifier was a tight one, with 68 players battling it out for only four spots in the Bermuda Championship field. Austin Lemieux absolutely seized his chance, joining Adam Long (who shot an incredible 64), Matthew Anderson (also with a 66), and Willie Mack III (another 66) in earning a place. His dad, Mario, was a scratch golfer back in his playing days and stayed active in charity tournaments, so golf definitely runs in the family. But now, it’s Austin’s time in the spotlight.
Next stop for Austin? The Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda. The tournament kicks off next Thursday, and you know everyone’s going to be watching to see what this young gun, with that famous name and that legendary number, can do on the PGA Tour. This is more than just a debut; it’s the start of his own chapter in sports history.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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