Adam Hadwin, a Canadian professional golfer, is on a mission to salvage his season and secure his PGA TOUR card. After a challenging year, he’s now relying on the Butterfield Bermuda Championship to boost his FedExCup standings. With nerves kicking in on the 15th hole, Hadwin delivered a 6-under 65 performance, taking the first-round lead. He’s determined to prove his best golf is yet to come and climb his way out of the hole he’s dug himself. Will he make it? Watch the video to find out!
In the world of professional golf, few moments are as exhilarating and nerve-wracking as when a player is fighting desperately to save their season and secure their tour card. And for Adam Hadwin, this week in Bermuda has been exactly that with a promising start that suggests he might just turn his fortunes around. But here’s where it gets controversial. Can a single round truly define a player’s future? or is it just the beginning of an uphill battle? Let’s dive into Hadwin’s story. The Canadian golfer has largely been absent from headlines in 2025, watching from the sidelines as others from his home country like Taylor Pendr, Nick Taylor, and McKenzie Hughes enjoy visibility through victories and invitations to major tournaments and signature events for 2026. Unlike them, Hadwin faces an urgent need to make substantial progress this week and next if he hopes to retain his status on the PGA Tour. As he teed off in Bermuda, Hadwin felt the familiar surge of anxiety, an emotion that is usually unwelcome on the golf course, but this time surprisingly was welcomed. This uptick in nerves was a sign that he still cared deeply and that his season’s struggles might be nearing an end. His six under par 65 in the first round which put him in the lead is not just a promising score. It might be the spark he desperately needs to reignite his season and tighten his grip on his tool card. I genuinely believe that my best golf is still ahead of me. Hadwin shared, “I have more in me and I know I’ll become a better player once I get past this phase. Today is a strong step in that direction. The coursearse conditions in Bermuda were challenging with gusty winds and small tricky greens. Yet Hadwin navigated them masterfully. He scored seven birdies, tying for the most of any player, and only one bogey, which he neutralized with a clutch approach shot on the 16th hole, a notoriously tough 235 yard par three. His performance wasn’t predictive of an easy day, especially considering his recent form since July. He’s only managed to make the cut twice with his best finish being 89 at the WM Phoenix Open and missed cuts at major championships. To make matters more difficult, Hadwin’s position in the FedEx Cup fall standings was perilous, sitting at 147th, well outside the top 125, needed to secure full playing privileges, let alone the top 100 to guarantee conditional status. His efforts in recent weeks, including a T-53 in Mexico and a missed cut at the Windom Championship, had been discouraging, especially amidst the successes of his peers who were thriving during the same period. During his postround interview, Hadwin was candid about his situation. When asked to compare his current struggles with Ruffer Campos’s remarkable comeback last year, who also started the week at 147th and ended up winning. Hadwin didn’t shy away from honesty. Just call it what it is, he said plainly. I am out of it. It took some time for him to accept the reality, acknowledging the bruising impact on his ego as he watched his friends and rivals excel while he faced a slump. Despite the setbacks, Hadwin’s resilience shone through. He recalled reaching a point, probably around July or August, where he finally accepted his circumstances and committed himself to fighting through the tough times. That recognition led to a string of efforts and a pivotal moment when after missing the cut at the Windom Championship, he began to turn things around. His recent T-53 finish, his first in a while, marked a small yet meaningful improvement in his FedEx Cup standings. Thursday in Bermuda brought a surprise, the round of his life so far in 2025. Absent in his practice rounds and warm-up, he defied expectations by shooting an impressive score fueled by excellent ball striking and confident putting. He rolled in multiple birdies, notably sinking a difficult putt on the 16th after an accurate approach, and his performance on the greens was more decisive than it had been in recent tournaments. This strong start means everything for Hadwin. A victory would catapult him into the top 71 of the FedEx Cup rankings, possibly even secure a top 100 spot with a second place finish. Though the margins are razor thin and self-made, the real challenge lies ahead. Can he build on this momentum, capitalize on his early success, and climb his way out of the hole he created himself? Golf, as Hadwin acknowledges, is a game full of unpredictability and irony. His story remains a testament to perseverance, a talented player facing adversity, determined to turn the tides. Will this first round heroics be enough to save his season? Or is this just a spark that will fade in the face of ongoing struggles? And this is the part most people miss. How many athletes face declines and doubts yet find a way to come back in the moments when it matters most? Do you believe Hadwin can sustain this breakthrough and truly revive his season? Or is this simply a flash in the pan? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
