Missing luggage means makeshift sponsorship logos on PGA Tour Latinoamerica

Let us introduce you to Brandon Harkins. He turned pro after graduating from California State University – Chico in 2010 and has been playing on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica. This year, his season had a big highlight: He got through sectional qualifying and played in the U.S. Open at Oakmont. He made the cut and finished in a tie for 59th. Not bad for his first major.

He’s been playing back on the Latinoamerica tour since then, and this week was a brutal reminder that life off the major circuit has a lot less perks.

The airline that he took down to Mexico for the San Luis Championship managed to get his clubs down there safe and sound. But the same can’t be said for his luggage full of clothes.

“My only option was to find these beauties at Walmart in the heart of Mexico. I wear Wheels Up on my chest, so my buddies wrote that on with a marker,” said Harkins. “Everyone on this tour has been having a lot of laughs about how I played in Oakmont in June, and now I’m dealing with these issues down here.”

We give Harkins an A+ for creativity and resourcefulness. Luckily, he only had to wear that garb for the practice rounds. By the tournament’s start on Thursday, Harkins’ luggage was returned to him. But dealing with this debacle has to be good motivation to get back to a PGA Tour event where replacement clothes are easier to find.