Harold Varner III had the last two weeks off from the PGA Tour because he didn’t qualify for either the limited field CJ Cup or Zozo Championship, and he was none too happy about it.
“Just seeing the best in the world play and not being in those fields, just extra motivation that I needed,” said Varner, who is scheduled to tee it up this week during the Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Club in Southampton, Bermuda.
The 30-year-old, who is still seeking his first PGA Tour victory, used his downtime to do some construction around the house and also get his wedding ring re-sized. Varner tied the knot with his girlfriend, Amanda, who he met at age 17, on September 26, despite the fact that COVID-19 threw a wrench into their best laid plans.
“The big is thing for me was to get married,” he said. “Obviously, I wanted a lot of people there to see it, but the biggest thing was getting married to my wife, that’s the most important thing. I think weddings are getting a little blown out of proportion. What are you really getting married for? Are you getting married to party? Like I can throw a big party, I’m good at that, I have no trouble with that.”
Varner was named Golfweek‘s “most fun” player on the PGA Tour in its “Fun Issue” this year, so we have no doubts the nuptials were a blast. Varner said he was fortunate that the laws were loosened in North Carolina to allow larger gatherings and he was able to have 150 people attend the couple’s big day.
“A lot of older people left after the ceremony. And the reception was a lot of fun because it became a big party, but a lot of close friends. We were super fortunate, but we were going to get married whether it was two of us or 300 of us,” Varner said.
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Their first dance? Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love” was their song of choice and according to Varner, it got pretty crazy on the dance floor from there.
“It was good,” he said. “I definitely lost all my clothes.”
As for his wedding ring, Varner is adjusting to having playing with something new on his left ring finger. He’s elected to leave it on in fear of losing it if he were to take off. Initially, getting it off was a bit of a problem as it happened to be a little too snug.
“You know the little ring thing you put keys on? I sent that to the for the measurement of my finger and it didn’t come out great,” he explained. “So, I went to sleep with my ring on and it cut the circulation off in my finger, so, that wasn’t a great idea. That’s been a little different.”
Not many better places for a honeymoon than Bermuda, but this is a work trip for Varner. He tees off No. 1 on Thursday at 11:15 a.m. ET.
