the masters

Hitting the Jackpot in the #1 Spot: Rory McIlroy as ‘King of the Course’ & Paige Bueckers as ‘Queen of the Court’ Turned Setbacks into Comebacks

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From the looks on their faces, there’s nothing like hitting it big! This wasn’t a case of someone winning the top prize in the state lottery. Instead, this was seeing the fruits of their labor in having Rory McIlroy and Paige Bueckers hit the jackpot in the #1 spot of their pro game.

For Bueckers it was in becoming the #1 selection in the 2025 WNBA draft class. This was widely expected in sports circles but still felt like a surreal moment when it happened. She became the sixth UConn women’s basketball player to go #1 in the draft. And we know how some have made history since.

With McIlroy, the journey from the first hole to the 18th hole is filled with potential bunker stops, water drops and putting flops. He’s been at it for 17 years at the Masters tournament without landing the green jacket. Plus, it took 11 years of chasing the career grand slam win that now puts him in rare company.

Leading up to the Masters, McIlroy had to contend with the ‘ghosts’ of the past. So, he did a one-on-one session with golf great Jack Nicklaus which seemed to help him purge those memories. Both McIlroy and Bueckers have had tough times and disappointments, but turned setbacks into comebacks through:

  • Teamwork:- In order to be awesome, you’ll end up spelling ‘we’ before spelling ‘me’. Her coach says while her passion for the game gets a lot of attention, she spreads it to others too.
  • Dreamwork:- As the saying goes, “teamwork makes the dream work.” When asked what helped her persist, Bueckers say she feels a sense of purpose in her game that carries over to her fame.   
  • Homework:- During setbacks, we can complain about lemons or turn moments into lemonade. This took patience for McIlroy doing what others don’t see, to produce results others would see.
  • Life’s Work:- There’re things we do to raise our skillset and career mindset. But room for growth came with positivity and self-development that’s sure to take them beyond their fields of dreams.   

Things are just getting started as a pro for Bueckers. She’s already got an NIL deal from her college days that’s sure to translate to a bigger bag. Word is that she’s signed a deal with the new 3-on-3 Unrivaled league that will have her making more dough in one year than she’ll make in a 4-year WNBA span.  

The golf season is still early, so McIlroy could turn his green jack into Irish green cash flow. Sometimes luck of the draw might be on one’s side. Along the way you might win some and lose some, but rest in knowing things will be alright. This year for McIlroy and Bueckers might feel like they can have it all.

Talkback: Does Bueckers have the goods for bringing a new level of buzz to women’s pro basketball?

Tip: In life you go from ‘grab bag to bigger bag’ by how you turn moments of doubt to new rounds of clout.

Tracks: Josh Grobin – Be Alright – https://youtu.be/nwEDG_rOI6Y?si=BkGpVxbiJHZr0HD1

Maoli – You Can Have it All – https://youtu.be/YEXzSrkRTTI?si=sG5Vr-_-pJkmYjqj

Russell Westbrook & Sergio Garcia Score Big Points and Reach High Mark in Tight Game #BigTimeUniversity

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#BigTimeUniversity – “Small Talk, Street Dreams, Next Level”

This production of “Wise-up Weekly” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny? (Or Just Fun!)

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (Old-School Flava)

It’s been a crazy past few days in sports. Things began with news that Tony Romo would retire from football. He’s played with the Cowboys for over a decade and will quickly move to the broadcast booth. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook and Sergio Garcia score big points and reach high marks in a tight game.

Talking with the NY Times Magazine, Thunder’s coach Mo Cheeks said of Westbrook “He’s a driven man, he’s a very disciplined person, never late, always on time. I don’t know many with that explosiveness.” Cheeks might know 3 goals that Westbrook set to light a fuse under his dreams and shine like a star.

It’s a case of shooting for those first-time goals. It’s the first time that an NBA player has averaged a triple-double since Oscar Robinson. For Garcia, not only was it his first time winning the Masters but also winning one of golf’s major events. This time he dug-in to win in an exciting 18th-hole playoff.

When Robinson set the record in the 1961-1962 season it was the last time a player had a triple-double season average. The last time someone from Spain won the Masters was in 1999. So they may have had a goal where the ‘last time’ a thing’s been done got them to a point this season of really feeling it boy.

With Westbrook and Garcia playing the games they love, it’s not hard to find times of ups and downs. Some thought Westbrook would slump after Durant left for the Warriors. But with the days as a pro moving along, having the sense of a ‘last chance’ to do something can get folks going to be at their best.

Groove-Track: Ashanti Ft Ja Rule – Always on Time – https://youtu.be/0tcDXJfAFVw

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (New-School Flava)

Been a crazy past few days. With sports moves and breakout plays. Began with Romo to retire. Then going to work as TV hire. Was a Cowboy over a decade. Now finding different way to get paid. Meanwhile Westbrook and Garcia score big points in game. Reaching high marks in career and fame.

In NY Times Magazine story. Telling how they shoot for glory. Thunder’s coach Mo Cheeks saying. How Westbrook is driven in practice and playing. Disciplined, never late. Always on time at departure gate. Explosive on the court in many roles. Light a fuse in his dreams and star goals.

Case of first-time goals it seems. How he stands-out from other teams. Averaging tripled-double since Oscar did. Now he’s on the all-time grid. For Garcia a first-time Masters win. Can feel the happiness in their grin. Westbrook a first-time in his prime. Garcia winning 18th-hole playoff in primetime.

When Oscar set record back in the day. Didn’t know who would come this way. Last time of triple-double average season. Gave Westbrook a hunch and a reason. Masters win last time by Spain. Was 1999 to make it plain. This last-time thing got them to a point. Where they were feeling it boy in the joint.

With both playing the games they love. Something came over them like a dove. Not hard to find those ups and downs. Thinking Westbrook would slump was word around towns. Their days as a pro moving along. They wanted to have a fresh song. Maybe ‘last chance’ before they rest. To do something at their best.

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Tip: Sometimes it takes first-time, last-time or last-chance goals to fire-up dreams or shine in careers.

Talkback: Who’s among the top-3 in the running for NBA MVP?

Groove-Tracks: Beenie Man ft Janet Jackson – Feel it Boy – https://youtu.be/O0wSRdwFYsI

MGK ft Hailee Steinfeld – At My Best – https://youtu.be/vxL1HrIsTbc

This production of “Wise-up Weekly” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST