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“Grim Reaper” Lurking Around Deere Run

Most of are aware that before tournament play ever begins there’s a pro-am on Monday, and on Wednesday, but few people realize there’s another pro-a...

Most of are aware that before tournament play ever begins there's a pro-am on Monday, and on Wednesday, but few people realize there's another pro-am on Saturday morning.

But you need to know all the pros in the Saturday event are guys who didn't make cut after the first two rounds.

Recruiting pro's that didn't make the cut can be a bit a challenge.

All eyes are on the JDC leader board this week, but there's one man who's not worried about who's winning.

He's more concerned about who's going home early, and he's known around the Tour as the Grim Reaper.

"If he's coming to see you, chances are your week didn't go as planned," say Tour pro Roland Thatcher.

The Grim Reaper, also known as Eric Booker, is the recruiter for the PGA Tour's Saturday Pro-Am Series.

"I'm looking for the guys that missed the cut. So they got that psychological thing," explains Booker.

It’s a unique line of work that has its own unique set of challenges.

"You got other guys that are a little more superstitious, they don't even want to talk about it until they do play bad. Then you gotta watch certain guys, they get a little hot. You gotta give them 30 minutes to cool before you talk to 'em," he says.

Players may cringe when they see Booker prowling around, but he’ll tell you that, on occasion, a visit from the Grim Reaper can be a good thing.

"There's been times Saturday round has been beneficial for a good finish the following week," says Thatcher.

"Sean O'Hair has played with us before and got endorsement deals, six figure stuff," says Booker.

He may be the Grim Reaper, but Booker says he really is a nice guy, offering new life to golfers whose tournament has come to an end.

"Picking up the dead off the bottom and giving them new life," says Thatcher.

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