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This is probably the first time I can say I’m 100 percent’:

Published

1 month ago

October 5, 2024

It was about a year and a half of working on a return.

But Daniel Berger came back this season, returning in January at The American Express after a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a back injury. There’s been a couple of top-25 finishes so far in 2024 but through two rounds at the Sanderson Farms Championship, there is a little throwback twinkle in his eyes after rounds of 65-65.

Now Berger is one back of the late-Friday lead held by Beau Hossler.

And better than the spot on the board is Berger’s spot with his health.

“This is probably the first time I can say I’m 100 percent,” Berger said. “There is always that thought in the back of your head, am I good, can I swing as hard as I want? The last couple weeks I felt my best and played a bunch of golf at home with the guys and I am hitting it further and just feeling like myself more.

“That’s kind of translating into what I’m seeing now.”

Berger has long been one of the tidiest ball-strikers on the PGA TOUR, sitting 14th in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green in his last full season on TOUR before his injury, in 2021-22. He was 15th in the year prior. He hasn’t necessarily lost a step in that department this season in his return, sitting a respectable 31st on TOUR.

He also said that he’s made a few mental adjustments to realize what he needs to do to play at his peak.

“I think it’s kind of a process,” Berger said. “You’re working every day to get one percent better, one percent better, and then you got to a point where you don’t have to think about it or worry about it and that’s kind of where I am now. I’m just trying to have some fun and enjoy myself. Seems to be working so far.