Nick Bienz, an Indianapolis-based golfer and teaching professional, made headlines with his unorthodox approach to handling pre-playoff nerves and making it through Monday’s qualifying for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The qualifier, held at The Orchards Golf Club in Washington, Michigan, saw Bienz not only securing his spot in the PGA Tour event but doing so under rather peculiar circumstances involving a few cold beers.
Nick Bienz’s journey to the Rocket Mortgage Classic is a tale of perseverance, talent, and an unexpected strategy to calm his nerves. Bienz, who had never played in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event before, found himself in a tense situation as one of five golfers tied with a score of 7-under 65 after 18 holes.
With only four spots available, a playoff was inevitable. Competing against seasoned players like Danny Guise, Angelo Giantsopoulos, Brandon Berry, and Beau Breault, Bienz needed something to steady his nerves before the high-stakes playoff began.
In a move that surprised many, Nick Bienz decided to down three beers before the playoff. This bold choice seemed to work in his favor as he navigated the eight-hole playoff with remarkable composure and skill. His performance was enough to outlast Breault, securing Bienz his place in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Nick Bienz’s Road to the Rocket Mortgage Classic
Before this remarkable qualifier, Nick Bienz’s golfing career was primarily centered around his role as a teaching professional at Golf Galaxy in Indianapolis. An alumnus of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Bienz had a notable local golfing reputation, highlighted by his victory at the 2023 Indiana Open. However, his attempts to break into the PGA Tour had been met with limited success.
The Monday qualifier at The Orchards was his first PGA Tour Monday qualifier of the year, and his success came as a mix of surprise and validation. For Nick Bienz, who was scheduled to work at Golf Galaxy the following morning, the sudden change in plans marked a significant milestone in his career. The social media buzz around his beer-fueled playoff only added to the excitement and disbelief surrounding his qualification.
Nick Bienz’s story quickly became the talk of the golfing community. After posting a solid 7-under 65, Bienz faced the nerve-wracking reality of a playoff. To calm his jitters, he turned to beer—three beers, to be precise. This unconventional approach was captured and shared widely on social media by Ryan French of Monday Q Info, adding a layer of humor and relatability to Bienz’s journey.
During the playoff, Bienz relied heavily on his driver, a club he felt most confident with. His strategic use of the driver, combined with his newfound relaxed state, helped him maintain his composure through the eight-hole playoff. As the playoff progressed, Bienz’s performance remained steady, and his birdie on the final hole ultimately secured his spot in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Nick Bienz’s story resonated with many, not just for its humor but also for its underlying message of resilience and authenticity. Professional golfer Bo Van Pelt even made a plea on social media to Bienz’s employer, Golf Galaxy, acknowledging the significance of this moment in Bienz’s career.
“This is unbelievable,” Bienz muttered repeatedly as he sat at the scorer’s table, still grappling with the reality of his achievement. The camaraderie and support from the golfing community, including a tweet from pro golfer Kevin Kisner, highlighted the solidarity among players and the shared excitement over Bienz’s unconventional path to success.
Nick Bienz’s qualification for the Rocket Mortgage Classic is a story that will be remembered for its humor and humanity. By embracing an unconventional method to manage his nerves, Bienz not only secured his place in a PGA Tour event but also captured the hearts of golf fans and fellow players alike.
As he prepares to compete at the Detroit Golf Club, Bienz’s journey serves as a reminder that sometimes, breaking the mold can lead to extraordinary outcomes.