The prospect of NBA superstar Steph Curry transitioning to the PGA Tour following his retirement from professional basketball is not the stuff of fantasy. Renowned for his extraordinary performances on the basketball court, the Golden State Warriors’ point guard has also been an enthusiastic golfer since the tender age of ten. With a handicap that has dipped as low as plus-three, Curry has demonstrated the athletic prowess and inherent talent that could propel him to triumph on the golf course in his post-NBA career.
In an interview with Golf Digest, Curry alluded to his aspiration to venture into the realm of professional golf once he hangs up his basketball shoes. “I don’t know what the trajectory will be,” he stated. “All I know is that after basketball, I intend to wholeheartedly invest in furthering my golf abilities to ascertain my potential, and where that may place me 14 years from now is yet to be determined.”
Curry’s proficiency in golf was manifest in his conquest at the American Century Championship last year, where he clinched his inaugural victory in the celebrity tournament. He even achieved a hole-in-one earlier in the competition, showcasing his capabilities on the fairways. His performance captured the attention of World No. 25 Jordan Spieth, who believes that Curry possesses the skillset to rival professional golfers. Spieth opined, “He’d be one of the longest right away on the Champions tour. He’d dominate par 5s, so it would ultimately boil down to how precise he can hone his game within 150 yards and in, because there’s no margin for error on both sides of the flag out there.”
In addition to his pursuit of golf, Curry is committed to fostering diversity in the sport through his ‘Underrated’ golf tour, which he launched in 2022. The tour, slated to expand to Europe this year, aims to promote equity, accessibility, and opportunities for young golfers who may lack the means to partake in national events or play at premier courses.
Curry’s dedication to advancing diversity in golf has not gone unrecognised. He is poised to be bestowed with the Charlie Sifford Award in acknowledgment of his endeavours during the US Open at Pinehurst next month.
While Curry’s current focus is on representing Team USA at the Paris Olympics this summer and returning to the Bay Area for his 16th NBA season, the potential for him to make a significant impact on the PGA Tour after his retirement from basketball is an exhilarating prospect for both his admirers and golf enthusiasts.
As he continues to excel in basketball, Curry’s passion and determination for the game of golf may eventually culminate in an equivalent degree of success on the PGA Tour.