Pros frequently engage in birdie-sprint matches for competitive edge
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 9, 2026, 7:02 PM
Last updated Jul 9, 2026
At the Travelers event recently, pros Akshay Bhatia and Chris Gotterup participated in a birdie-sprint match during a pro-am round. This common tour game involves players competing to make the most birdies, with dollar amounts assigned for each birdie. The format encourages a positive mindset and conserves energy before tournaments. Players can adapt the game to their skill level by having pars-or-birdies matches. The practice emphasizes competitiveness and the importance of making birdies, while also helping to eliminate negative thoughts around missed putts.
- •Bhatia and Gotterup played a birdie-sprint match at the Travelers.
- •Each birdie earns a set dollar amount, fostering competition.
- •The game reinforces positive feelings before tournaments.
- •Players can adapt to their skill level with different match formats.
- •Such practices help conserve mental and physical energy.
- 7:02 PMYahoo Sports — I never realized how often pros play this birdie-sprint game—here's how to steal it
"Pros will often play games against each other to see who can make the most birdies. For good reason.
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