Casey Martin struggles to survive as golf professional

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The cart stops along a slope on the 18th fairway in West Virginia’s hills. Casey Martin hops out and limps to his ball.

Two approach shots from the same spot land in a greenside bunker. He rides on, then descends into the pit without hesitation.

The practice round now over, Martin’s troubled right leg has held up again under the rolling terrain. It’s his golf game that is struggling, six years after winning the right to ride a cart in PGA Tour events.

“I hope to somehow get over the hump and make some sense out of it,” Martin said. “The controversy’s wound down. That’s just because I haven’t played particularly well these last three years.

“I’d love to start playing well again and cause a stir.”

Martin has been relegated to alternate status on the Nationwide Tour. He must wait for a qualifier to drop out or receive a sponsor’s exemption.

He’s earned just $15,858 in two PGA events this year and has yet to make a cut in three Nationwide Tour events. He finished 3-over-par Friday at the Pete Dye West Virginia Classic.

Martin’s condition makes it virtually impossible to walk long distances. As luck would have it, the pain worsened around the time he won his federal lawsuit against the PGA Tour in 1998. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the decision in 2001.

Riding in a cart has reduced the level of discomfort, but the physical pain is still there.

“My leg is an issue, but it’s not why I haven’t been playing well,” Martin said.

He doesn’t like to put much weight or pressure on his leg, and that’s reflected in his swing. When he hits the ball correctly, there’s discomfort. When he’s sloppy, his leg feels fine. Subconsciously, over time, his swing has gone the latter route to avoid the pain.

“So that’s my struggle,” Martin said.

Martin, 32, would like to make something happen in the next couple of years.

His deadline is in his heart, not on a calendar.

“I’m just not quite ready to throw in the towel. … If I finally say this is too much, I’ll walk away. I can do it. I’m not dependent on golf to make me happy.”