Aaron Wise, who has played infrequently on the PGA Tour since his withdrawal from the 2023 Masters for mental‑health reasons, says competing was “harmful” for him.
Speaking with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis after his third round at the John Deere Classic, Wise reflected on his weekend and his journey. He had just carded a four‑under 67 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, and will begin the final round five strokes behind the leaders.
“It’s been a long, difficult road,” Wise said. “Although I’ve achieved a lot in golf, I reached a point where being out on the course was hurting me. I felt detached, lost the enjoyment, stepped away, and found supportive people who helped me along the way.”
“Now I feel calmer and more able to enjoy the game. Professional golf will always bring pressure, but I’ve developed tools to manage it and adopted a healthier mindset.”
The 2016 NCAA champion captured the 2018 Byron Nelson in only his 26th PGA Tour start and was named Rookie of the Year later that season. He rose to a career‑high world ranking of 33rd, but in 2023 he withdrew from the Masters days before the tournament began, posting on Instagram: “This hurts, but it’s needed. See you soon,” accompanied by the note:
“Golf is as much a mental challenge as a physical one, and the mental side has been a struggle for me lately. I don’t take playing at Augusta for granted, but I recognize I need time away to focus on my mental health so I can return to competition at a level I can be proud of.”
For the remainder of 2023 Wise played in just four more events, then appeared in one PGA Tour tournament in 2024 and seven PGA Tour plus five Korn Ferry Tour events last year. This week marks his seventh PGA Tour start of the season and his first made cut of 2026.
“Returning has been tough,” Wise told CBS. “Taking nearly two years off was a lengthy break, and it reminded me how skilled I am and how much effort elite golf requires. I’m gradually easing back into that rhythm, learning to handle stress—not only during tournaments but also through the long hours of practice at home—then bringing that preparation to the course.”
“I haven’t logged many rounds lately. Most of my work has been at home, sharpening my game to be ready for competition. I feel I’m slowly making progress, though the process has taken longer than I expected. Nevertheless, it has been deeply rewarding, and I’ve rediscovered the joy of working on my game—something I missed when I stepped away.”
On Sunday at the John Deere Classic, Wise is slated to start tied for 12th. If he holds that position, it would represent his best PGA Tour finish since a sixth‑place showing at the October 2022 CJ Cup.
“I recall vividly the day he turned pro,” CBS analyst Frank Nobilo remarked. “He was just 20 years old; two years later he captured the Byron Nelson, displaying raw talent.”
“It’s a wonderful story, and I’m glad it’s being shared.”
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