Who are the best golfers on the Arizona Diamondbacks? Players appear at WM Phoenix Open

Posted by author February 5, 2025 Golf

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Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen have been in countless tight situations in their careers, including the World Series in 2023.

But the tee box at the WM Phoenix Open is what intimidates them.

Both participated in last year’s short-lived Annexus Pro-Am and Kelly got a taste of the unique setup at No. 10. Golfers must shoot over the crowds to the next set of greens on the par 4 hole, which was a “nerve-wracking” experience, Kelly said.

“I didn’t realize how close those guys stand until I actually got up to the ball,” he said. “All I told myself was to make sure I got it into the air so I don’t kill anybody.”

The closeness of the fans and the unrelenting nature of the Open is enough to have both players nervous for Wednesday’s pro-am, where they will be alongside manager Torey Lovullo and teammate Corbin Burnes.

“I’ve been stepping on the mound since I was five, so that’s natural to me,” Gallen said. “Stepping on the tee box, I’ve only been playing legit for the last seven years. To kind of have a little gallery standing in the way is a little nerve-wracking, I’m not used to that. The first tee shot for me is a little more nerve-wracking, even on No. 16. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”

Outside of competition, golf is a way to get away from the game. During road trips, a large group will often try to sneak in a round on an off day.

“Our sport is somewhat calm in a sense of there’s not a lot of ruckuses and you can relate baseball and golf,” pitcher Drey Jameson said. “When we’re playing golf, it’s something where you can get out, it’s nice and calm. There’s not much effort in it. When you’re in season, we’re traveling around and it’s easy on an off day to go out and play a round of golf.”

For those who are finished with their playing career like reliever Archie Bradley, it’s a big aspect of their next chapter.

“I think a lot of us find when you’re not playing, it’s a way to keep those competitive juices and keep things exciting and something to look forward to and kind of a routine,” Bradley said. “That’s the biggest thing we lose when we get done playing and golf is a very routine-oriented sport.”

While on the Diamondbacks, Bradley was part of a group led by Zack Greinke. Greinke was on a six-year, $206.5 million deal with the Diamondbacks before the 2016 season and pitched parts of four seasons with them before being traded to Houston in July 2019.

“When you’re with good teammates like Zack Greinke and other guys, you get to play some really good courses across the country. You got to take advantage of that,” Bradley said.

While out with Greinke, Bradley saw him do stuff that “you just couldn’t write down.”

“He would take a driver and hit on a par 3 on the green,” Bradley said. “Whatever you imagine pitching, that’s how he is golfing.”

Some of the current best players on the team, he said, include Tommy Henry, Brandon Pfaadt and Kelly. He’s not sure about Gallen’s skills.

“He thinks he’s good, but I’ve never played with him specifically. We’ll see,” Jameson said.

Kelly is likely one of the more advanced players on the team as he’s grown up in a golf household.

“My dad loves golf and I have an older brother — he’s two years older than me — he loves golf,” Kelly said. “I’ve had a golf club in my hand since I can remember. When I’m not on the field or at home, that’s pretty much the only other place I go. I love being out here.”

Kelly wasn’t able to show off his game last year after last year’s pro-am was called off early due to heavy rain. This year’s sunny forecast provides hope for the field that features Arizona Cardinals great Larry Fitzgerald, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and former U.S. women’s national team forward Carli Lloyd.