The New York Jets know they have an elite cornerback in Sauce Gardner. He’s the first defensive back to be named a first-team All-Pro in his first two seasons — a historic achievement in itself.
Turns out, it’s not just football that Gardner appears to be elite at. And his latest work is making some pro players very nervous.
PGA Members Praise Sauce Gardner’s Golf Game
Since concluding offseason workouts with the Jets, Gardner has looked to improve his golf game over the last two weeks.
As he looks to improve his game, social media has been abuzz with the All-Pro’s work ethic to become a more consistent golfer. Many on the PGA Tour have been impressed with the work Gardner has put into this point, and seem willing to help him improve his game.
“He’s got some speed for one,” said Will Zalatoris. “I mean, the dude’s an athlete, we know that. But I mean that’s pretty impressive. Clean up a little bit of the short game there and he’s going to be pretty good, pretty quick.”
The pros are impressed, @IAmSauceGardner 👀 pic.twitter.com/36bkr3eGt0
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 28, 2024
Other players on the tour tried to give more specific advice to Gardner as he continued to practice during the NFL‘s offseason.
“Short game — we need a little more weight forward, a little bit steeper. But pretty good,” said Cameron Young when shown videos of Gardner’s play.
Hey Sauce, we've got you. 👀
Here's a quick tip just for you from PGA Coach Justin Kraft.@KraftyGolf_ pic.twitter.com/aFwwmXWkwm
— PGA of America (@PGA) June 27, 2024
For the most part, though, many golfers watching the Jets’ cornerback were amazed at how far he had come in such a short amount of time.
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“Yeah, that looked pretty good,” Chris Kirk stated. “You said he just started? A couple of weeks ago? He doesn’t need any help from me, he’s a lot better than I was two weeks into playing golf.”
Gardner Getting More Into Golf
Gardner turned heads over the last week as he keeps himself busy before the start of training camp with the Jets. After sharing multiple scorecards from his previous day’s work, the former fourth-overall pick took to posting videos.
This drive just went 240+ and straight, but it looks like I'm hitting an iron(form wise) and not a driver. Drop tips below pic.twitter.com/MHKokGCEck
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) June 26, 2024
I scooted back some and now I'm not slicing anymore. W whoever said that https://t.co/BTA11qvCeD pic.twitter.com/sgl1H8oB5z
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) June 26, 2024
Ladies & Gentlemen.. FIRST BIRDIE OF THE DAY🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🏌🏾🏌🏾🏌🏾🏌🏾🏌🏾🏌🏾 pic.twitter.com/qAnsWeerN1
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) June 26, 2024
It’s very common for NFL players to pick up golf as a pastime both during and after their playing careers. Recently, quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have taken part in “The Match,” multiple golf outing competitions to raise money for charity.
Manning and Brady are both well into their 40s now, though. The fact that Gardner (23 years old) has taken to the game of golf and has been successful this early shows that he’s more than just elite at locking down opposing wide receivers on Sundays.
