Former PGA Tour professional golfer Willy Wilcox has candidly shared the harrowing details of his battle with addiction, revealing how the high-pressure world of professional golf further exacerbated his struggles. Wilcox’s descent into darkness began during his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama, a small southeastern town where prescription medication was readily available. His early exposure to substances, specifically prescription painkillers, normalised their use and set the stage for his future battles with addiction.
In a soul-baring conversation with Tom Coyne on The Golfer’s Journal podcast, Wilcox spoke about the terrifying moment when he overdosed on cocaine laced with the comet. He recalled the chilling sensation of his heart racing at an alarming 222 beats per minute and the insufferable pain that lingered for days. This distressing episode served as a wake-up call, propelling him onto the path of sobriety.
The world of professional golf, while glamorous on the surface, is fraught with intense pressure, high expectations, and demanding physical challenges. Wilcox, who has always suffered from severe anxiety, found the relentless demands of tour life to be unbearable. The anxiety-induced sleepless nights and loss of appetite led him to self-medicate with drugs.
At the height of his torment, Wilcox’s pre-tournament routine consisted of staying awake from midnight before afternoon tee times, unable to sleep or eat due to overpowering nerves. In his distorted mindset, substances became the miracle solution that allowed him to perform exceptionally well on the golf course. He explained how he would consume a Percocet, drive the ball 330 yards down the first hole, and potentially earn hundreds of thousands of dollars, all while under the influence.
Despite battling his addiction, Wilcox achieved notable feats on the PGA Tour. His illustrious career included shooting a remarkable 59 at the 2013 Utah Championship and making an unforgettable hole-in-one on TPC Sawgrass’s famous island green in 2016. However, the initial self-medication gradually morphed into physical dependency, with Wilcox revealing his inability to sleep before leading tournaments, having been awake since midnight.
In 2022, following his retirement from professional golf, Wilcox made the life-altering decision to seek professional help and checked into rehab. This marked the beginning of his journey towards rediscovering himself beyond addiction and performance anxiety. He poignantly stated, “2022 is literally the first time that I met myself as an adult.”
In a twist of fate, golf offered Wilcox a second chance at redemption, albeit in a different role. He now works as a caddie for rising PGA Tour star Sungjae Im, a transition that has proven to be beneficial for his recovery. The structured lifestyle of tour travel, without the performance pressures, provides the ideal balance for maintaining sobriety.
Wilcox first crossed paths with Im during their stint on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2018. In a surprising turn of events, Im invited Wilcox to caddie for him at the 2023 US Open. Since joining forces with Wilcox, Im’s physical and mental health have shown significant improvement, with noticeable weight gain and an overall more positive demeanour. Wilcox’s unique perspective and insights bring added value to Im’s game as they navigate the PGA Tour together.
Willy Wilcox’s journey serves as a stark reminder of the toll that the demanding world of professional sports can take on mental health. His story also serves to inspire those battling addiction, showing that it is possible to rise from the depths of despair and rebuild a life of sobriety.
