“One day before he was set to tee off at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass last month, reigning U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka aggravated a left-wrist injury while out on the practice range.
The world’s No. 9 ranked professional golfer threw his club down in frustration and made a beeline out of the practice area.
“I was in excruciating pain,” the 28-year-old Floridian said in a telephone interview last week. “And I couldn’t get the feeling in my hand to come back at all. I thought, ‘Oh man, here we go.’ ”
Mr. Koepka made his way to a golf cart and headed out of the practice area.
“I needed to get to Marc,” he said…”
“Marc Wahl travels from state to state, and from tournament to tournament in his RV, making sure that some of the best golfers in the world are healthy enough to compete at the highest level.
The physical therapist from Cutchogue studies their swings using the latest technology, and uses preventive methods to help avoid injury. Sometimes, he said at the U.S. Open, he even tries to change the way they stand, all in an effort to make golfers stronger. Such is the high-stakes life of a golf medical professional, where even small adaptations can lead to big wins…”
“If you tuned into the Olympic swimming last summer, you might have noticed dark red circles on a few prominent athletes, namely Michael Phelps. With almost half of the world watching, cupping therapy was having its moment in the spotlight. The coverage (and curiosity) spawned hundreds - if not thousands - of features about the background, benefits and potential concerns related to cupping.
I've been working as a therapist on the PGA TOUR for over a decade. In my career, I've worked over 250 events, helping 40+ pro golfers, including four 2016 Ryder Cup members: Jimmy Walker, Brooks Koepka, JB Holmes and Brandt Snedeker…”
“…Jimmy Walker's victory on Sunday at the PGA Championship was no exception. Walker is supported by his caddy (Andy Sanders), swing coach (Butch Harmon), family, trainer (Craig Brown in San Antonio) and, last but certainly not least, his TPI Certified therapist, Marc Wahl…”
“…Wahl is among the most respected PT's on TOUR and a key reason why Walker has been able to make 24+ starts/year since joining the PGA TOUR in 2010. It's not a surprise that Walker was quick to credit him. Wahl was also one of the first to greet Walker as he walked off the 72nd hole…”
"…’Our team communicates openly together," said Wahl. If Butch notices something in Jimmy's swing, he'll ask me to be aware in our treatment. If I notice something with Jimmy's body, I'll alert him. I've probably had my hands on Jimmy for over 1,200 hours. I can usually tell if something is off and Jimmy trusts Butch, Craig (his trainer) and myself in the process…’ "
