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Novak Djokovic Had Everyone Laughing After Failed Golf Shot at Ryder Cup Celebrity Event

The 24-time Grand Slam champion had some highlights and lowlights at Marco Simone.
Gabrielle Herzig|
Novak Djokovic Had Everyone Laughing After Failed Golf Shot at Ryder Cup Celebrity Event
Novak Djokovic Had Everyone Laughing After Failed Golf Shot at Ryder Cup Celebrity Event

Novak Djokovic might have gotten the exclusive invitation to play in this year’s Ryder Cup Celebrity All-Star Match, but from what we’ve seen of his highlights so far, he might want to stick to tennis. 

The 24-time Grand Slam champion arrived at Marco Simone in Rome ready to embrace the boisterous Ryder Cup spectators, even hyping up the crowd on the first tee. But when Djokovic eventually found the venue’s signature knee-high rough, fans burst into laughter rather than applause. 

With his feet engulfed in the tall grass, Djokovic carefully prepared to take a whack at his completely obstructed ball. 

“I hope he hasn’t got any tennis coming up soon,” a SkySports commentator said. 

This summer's U.S. Open champ then proceeded to perform what looked more like a karate chop than a golf shot, and unsurprisingly, he didn’t get far with it. 

Hanging his head in amusement over the failed swing, Djokovic immediately set up for one more attempt at the impossible lie: “Wait, wait, wait,” he said. “I got it! I found it!” 

His persistence was admirable. 

Despite the blip, Djokovic did manage to execute some extremely impressive shots at Marco Simone. 

On the 16th hole par-4—playing 260 yards for the all-stars—he managed to drive the green. 

The good, the bad and the ugly. Welcome to golf, Novak. 

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Gabrielle Herzig
GABRIELLE HERZIG

Gabrielle Herzig is a Breaking and Trending News writer for Sports Illustrated Golf. Previously, she worked as a Golf Digest Contributing Editor, an NBC Sports Digital Editorial Intern, and a Production Runner for FOX Sports at the site of the 2018 U.S. Open. Gabrielle graduated as a Politics Major from Pomona College in Claremont, California, where she was a four-year member and senior-year captain of the Pomona-Pitzer women’s golf team. In her junior year, Gabrielle studied abroad in Scotland for three months, where she explored the Home of Golf by joining the Edinburgh University Golf Club.

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