Newest PGA Tour winner explains 'text phobia' that has kept him from returning congratulatory messages
Kenneth Richmond
There are a lot of great perks that come with winning your first PGA Tour event, from elevated status to a big ol' paycheck. But there are a few things that some could do without, from more media obligations to more people reaching out. And the tour's newest member gave some insight into the latter on Tuesday.
Adam Schenk showed no problem meeting with the media ahead of this week's RSM Classic. In fact, his pre-tournament press conference transcript might be the longest we've ever seen as he gave amazingly in-depth answers about his breakthrough win at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, the low points he went through as a struggling tour pro, his unusual—and old—equpiment setup, and his superstitious tendency that took over last week when he kept eating at the same restaurant.
But he also talked about a "text phobia" he's developed when asked the standard "How many texts have you received?" question. And it's a curious case that only got worse with a win that brought on a wave of people reaching out. We'll let the 33-year-old explain.
I haven't started. Long story short, I've kind of had text phobia over the last like five months. I probably have 300 messages that I've needed to send and I know once I start, I can't just like "like" the message and move on, or say "thank you!" Hey, thank you, have to ask, hey, how are you and Jean and the kids? How's your job going? I know you got a new job, what's going on in Memphis or wherever they're at, because then they respond to me and I'm back in the same boat I started in.
I think I have like 700-some on my phone unread right now, albeit some of those are group messages, I'm sure. But I will take some time and respond properly and not just -- love to just go through and "like" all the messages, but like those people are important to me, and some I'll have to figure out who the contacts are because I am a lazy saver. Okay, I'll save their number. I'll remember who that is when they text me, and then you get 20 of those and I don't have any idea.
But I also haven't played well in a long time, so when you get over that big a stretch over a period of time and then you play well, then everybody wants to text you and say hi because everybody's been a part of it, my whole journey, so it means a lot to have that support.
On some level, it totally makes sense. Although Adam is just digging himself more into text debt the longer he waits. And the "Because then they respond to me and I'm back in the same boat I started in," comment sounds like a perfect "Curb Your Enthusiasm" line from Larry David.
In any event, if you texted Adam and you haven't heard back from him, this is why. And we wish Adam the best conquering this "phobia." On the bright side, with the PGA Tour season ending on Sunday, he'll have a lot more time to text.