From Uber driver to Belfry brilliance: Gunner Wiebe reflects on journey since career-threatening injury

After working as an Uber driver following a serious injury he feared would deny him the chance to compete at a high level, Gunner Wiebe was left to reflect on a performance to remember at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.

Coming into the week 1349th in the Official World Golf Ranking, the American was unlikely to be familiar with many of the fans who had made the journey to The Belfry.

In 2016, while on vacation, he walked into a sliding glass door – not realising it had been closed – and suffered a severe cut to his upper arm, narrowly missing an artery.

That led to the son of Mark Wiebe – twice a winner on the PGA TOUR and multiple-time winner on the PGA TOUR Champions – taking time away from the sport as he went on to try his hand at several other jobs.

“It’s been a very interesting ride for me,” said the 34-year-old, who secured his Tour card for 2023 by finishing 14th at the final stage of Qualifying School.

“I didn’t play for five years. I, like most of the folks at home, had a normal job.

“I drove for Uber, worked in finance, in a marketing company. Eventually I was an assistant professional at Bel-Air Country Club and that, I guess, sparked my interest in playing again although I didn’t really think it was a possibility.

“I had some really good fortune meeting some people who made that a reality.

“It’s a dream come true to be in a position to play again, I never thought I would [after my injury]. To make it onto a Tour like this is what dreams are made of.”

Despite 13 missed cuts in his last 15 worldwide starts this year, Wiebe arrived at the Brabazon Course – a four-time host venue of the Ryder Cup – with a belief that a good result was around the corner.

“The tough part is you don’t necessarily get results right away, even though you might be playing better,” he said.

“I have been playing quite well for the last month and a half. I haven’t been scoring particularly well, whether it was bad putting or bad hitting but my game was certainly trending as far as I could tell.

“The problem with golf is you just don’t get the result, but it doesn’t discount the work you have put in.”

Trailing by five shots ahead of the final round, the 34-year-old made two birdies and an eagle in his opening six holes on Sunday, before his momentum was blunted by a triple bogey at the par-four seventh only for him to recover to record a further five birdies to set the clubhouse target at eight under.

And while he was overhauled by a remarkable finish by Daniel Hillier as the New Zealander claimed his maiden DP World Tour title, Wiebe only had positive thoughts as he settled for a runner-up finish - a result that secures his spot in the field for his first Major Championship appearance at the 151st Open.

"I have played golf the majority of my life," he said.

“You dream of shooting 66 on Sunday, whether it is to win or finish in the top, five or ten. This is what we all want to do, it is amazing. I am really a lucky person.

“My injury gave me unbelievable perspective at the time, I didn’t necessarily know that I needed it.

“I was more upset my career was in question, but I met my wife at the same time. It is funny how life works.”