SEATTLE _ This might be a sad story if Chris Williams didn't seem so content, happy and relaxed.
In the summer of 2013, Williams had just finished a remarkable college golf career at Washington and seemed like a can't-miss professional star.
Williams had been the world's No. 1 amateur for almost a year, won the Hogan Award, college golf's version of the Heisman Trophy, and had just signed a deal with Nike through 2018.
But nothing is certain in golf.
After six years of near-constant travel, the ups and downs in his game, and the pressure of trying _ and failing _ to advance past the Canadian tour, Williams needed to stop. It didn't matter that he had just had his best year, he was mentally done. So, what to do?
Come back to school, and accomplish something he thought he might never do: get a college degree. Williams is taking two classes this spring at UW while working as an intern in the athletic department, and is expected to finish up in summer quarter.
"It always weighed on me," Williams said of not getting his degree.
And after graduation? Not even 28, he's got a lot of options. He might return to pro golf. He might not.
He has time to figure it out, and as he casually talked over lunch at University Village, it's clear he's not stressed about it.
Whatever the decision, he will be more prepared than the last time he left school. If only he knew then what he knows now.
