GUEST BY JEFF RUDE | GOLFWEEK ESSAY DARE TO DREAM In taking the title at the 2004 British Open, small-town Illinoisan Todd Hamilton proves that when determination, heart and talent combine, no dream is too grand. odd Hamilton’s story is for ticed in the cold, icy conditions of west-central Illinois. “He’d those who lapse into deep REM. find a patch of grass or take out his mat,” Jacque said. T He’s a poster boy for anyone But then he won the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit in 1992, who dares to dream. He’s the shy, super- earned a ticket to riches in Japan and finally got through PGA stitious guy from a tiny Illinois river Tour Q-School on his eighth try last fall. town who didn’t make it to golf’s big It seems odd to suggest anyone foresaw Scottish glory for leagues until age 38. He’s the rare major Hamilton. But the clues—honest Oquawka Injun—were there. champion from the Rust Belt, someone The first came in March at the Honda Classic, where his who honed his skills on a nine-hole pro-am partners told him, “Something special will happen to course in little Biggsville, not in the land of citrus. you this year because we played with Ben Curtis in last year’s He’s the 250-1 shot who won the British Open, the over- pro-am.” Curtis, of course, would go on to shock in the 2003 achiever who outdueled heavyweights Ernie Els and Phil Open at Royal St. George. Yen-rich Hamilton would win that Mickelson down the stretch. He is the pro from Oquawka, Ill. Honda in his sixth start as a Tour member and then ditto Curtis (hometown), Oklahoma (college), Okinawa (Japanese Tour) in the United Kingdom. and Outskirts of Dallas (current residence). If we learn any- thing from his winning of the Claret Jug, it’s this: If you think you can, you can. Hamilton was a two-time Illinois high school golf champion. That is significant because the state hasn’t exactly mass- produced professional golf champions. Hamilton’s story is remarkable hereabouts because he is just the second Illinois- bred golfer to have won a major championship since Chick Evans in 1916. The only other Illinoisan with a major victory is Bob Goalby (1968 Masters). Hamilton beat the odds in so many ways. He grew up in the cold. He was out in the cold for so long, playing 12 years in After years overseas, Hamilton’s Japan with a longing eye cast at the PGA Tour. His game was now a Major player on tour. cold entering Royal Troon, for in his 14 most recent starts he ©STAN BADZ/PGA TOUR had missed six cuts and never finished in the top 20. Jacque sensed something might be up, too, when a North His victory should serve as inspiration to one and all, Dakota priest sitting next to her on the flight from Chicago to especially teenage kids from Illinois who have to overcome Glasgow promised to talk to the Lord on Hamilton’s behalf. long odds and a short season. He proved you can end up The priest told her he hadn’t been sure which professional rubbing elbows with David Letterman and Jay Leno if you golfer to support but now would “know whom to pray for.” have a remarkable short game and a heart that doesn’t fit in Hamilton encountered another good sign in a Wednesday a semi-truck. practice round when he and caddie Ron (Bambi) Levin The late-blooming Hamilton, now twice a winner in his walked down 18. They saw Hamilton’s name on top of the Tour rookie season, started fantasizing at a young age. He large yellow leaderboard above the massive grandstand. learned the game playing until dark at nine-hole Hend-Co “Smart guy,” Hamilton said. “Let’s make that happen on Hills in Biggsville, population 500, near the Mississippi River. Sunday. That’s our goal.” Jacque, his high school sweetheart turned wife, remembers If that wasn’t enough, the Hamiltons on Friday saw in a him dreaming there. “He’d make a putt and say, ‘This one is to British newspaper a headline that proclaimed the success of a win a major against a name player,’ ” she said. “I used to snicker soccer team named, yes, Hamilton. They beamed once more. at him.” “We look for that kind of stuff,” Jacque Hamilton said. After college, the self-taught Hamilton would be hardened More Hamilton headlines would come the Monday morn- by ups and downs in Asia, times that make him appreciative ing after the Open. Only they belonged to him. And to dream- now. One winter he couldn’t afford to go to Florida, so he prac- ers everywhere. SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2004 1.