When it comes to supportive parents, golfer Katherine Kirk’s mum and dad take the cake.
Their daughter was already playing Thursday’s opening round at the Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast with a collection of borrowed clubs when she ran into a different problem approaching the tee to her 10th hole at Royal Pines.
The shorts she’d plundered from a collection of old clothes at her parent’s home were too big and were threatening to drop to her ankles mid-swing.
Quick as a flash Kirk snared father Frank’s belt, doing it up to the max to keep the offending garment on her hips.
“Mum’s like `Dad’s got a belt’ and `I’m like let me try it’,” Kirk said.
“It was black so I was thankful it matched the outfit. I’m on the last loop, but it was better than the one I had so we switched out.”
It was the final hurdle in a chaotic 24 hours for Kirk, who arrived in Brisbane from the Bahamas on Wednesday without her golf gear.
Fortunately the dramas had little effect on the 2009 Masters winner’s game, as she shot an opening round three-under par 70 to be firmly in contention for a second crown.
Kirk says she’ll be back with her own gear for Friday’s second round, despite using the borrowed equipment well.
“The pressure’s on to play better right?,” she said.
“It was a guessing game out there with the irons and the hybrids and carry distances … they were pretty close but I certainly would feel more comfortable with my clubs.”
KATHERINE KIRK’S MIXED BAG – A breakdown of her borrowed gear
* Odyssey putter
* Cleveland wedges
* Srixon irons
* Titleist hybrids and fairway wood
* Mizuno driver
* New golf shoes
* Old clothes from mum’s wardrobe
* Dad’s belt