PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. _ Wesley Bryan carved an identity in golf by making trick-shot videos and competing on a golf reality show, along with his brother, George.
It brought attention, but didn't pay off in sustainable income.
Though that short-lived appearance on the Golf Channel's "Big Break Palm Beaches" in late 2014 was hardly a breakthrough, it led to familiarity with PGA National's Champion Course that helped boost Bryan to the top of the leaderboard in Thursday's opening round of the Honda Classic. He shared the lead with fellow rookie Cody Gribble at 6-under-par 64.
"It was actually a great thing to get kicked off the show really early," Bryan said of the "Big Break," a defunct reality show that had competitors engaging in a series of golfing challenges with the winner gaining an exemption into a top pro tournament. "Was able to get three or four rounds over here after getting eliminated, so that definitely made things a little bit easier."
The Columbia, S.C., native later learned more about the Champion Course in a qualifying tournament that earned him a place on the Web.com Tour in December 2015.
Notably, Honda co-leader Gribble took the same route in Q School at PGA National the previous year.
Gribble and Bryan, both 26, are part of a talented rookie class that is rapidly making a mark on the PGA Tour. Gribble, a college teammate of Jordan Spieth at Texas, won his second start on the tour in October. Bryan is coming off a tie for fourth at the Genesis Open in California.
Their rapid rise from Q School hopefuls to forces on the big tour is an indication of the rapid changing of the guard in golf.
These new faces are fresh and intriguing. Bryan was already a sensation on YouTube with the Bryan Brothers trick shot videos generating several million views.
Asked if there is a dream trick shot he'd like to make, Bryan said, "Yeah, a putt to win The Masters."
With three wins on the Web.com Tour in 2016 and last week's strong showing at Riviera, Bryan has his game on a serious track. But he hasn't ruled out more trick-shot hijinks.
"I'm not putting it behind me," he said. "I just don't have as much time to devote to it now. Not saying that if the right collaboration or the right situation arises we wouldn't take advantage of it."
It was the trick-shot background that led to invitation to compete in the "Big Break," though he and his brother were eliminated quickly.
"I just got to shatter some glass and chip a couple into some hoops," he said.
If Thursday is an indication, Bryan could have a bigger impact at PGA National this weekend.
