LPGA golfer hits bird with tee shot video: Isi Gabsa has 'Randy Johnson situation' at 2024 U.S. Women's Open

Jacob Camenker

•
LPGA golfer hits bird with tee shot video: Isi Gabsa has 'Randy Johnson situation' at 2024 U.S. Women's Open image

Usually, when the phrases "hitting the green" and "birdie" are paired together, it represents something good for a golfer.

That wasn't the case for Isi Gabsa at the LPGA Tour's U.S. Open on Thursday.

Gabsa hit a beauty of a shot on the difficult No. 12 hole at which Nelly Korda logged a 10 earlier in the morning. Gabsa's shot sailed perfectly to the green and set her up for a birdie chance on the Par 3 hole as it landed.

MORE: The Randy Johnson bird game, as told by the bird's family

Unfortunately, another birdie — one sitting on the green, minding its own business — never saw the shot coming. The golf ball landed directly on the bird, leaving it motionless on the ground.

Below is a look at how the potentially deadly shot unfolded.

The broadcast didn't clarify whether the bird survived the hit. It showed a tournament staffer removing the bird from the green, leaving many to assume the creature perished.

Naturally, Gabsa's shot evoked memories of the infamous Randy Johnson pitch that hit and killed a bird mid-flight. A few golf fans and media personalities pointed out it was a "Randy Johnson situation" after it happened.

Johnson's play came during a spring training game against the Giants on March 24, 2001. He delivered a fastball that hit a dove right as it crossed in front of home plate. Johnson's fastball reached 101 mph in his heyday. Even if he wasn't throwing full-force, the bird absorbed a deadly blow.

As a result, the collision killed the bird on impact. A cloud of feathers burst off its body.

MORE: Zac Gallen has Randy Johnson moment, kills bird while warming up in outfield

The play became one of the most memorable from Johnson's Hall of Fame career. He has leaned into the moment and uses an upside-down bird as the logo for his photography company.

Thus, it figures to follow Gabsa around as she continues to compete on the LPGA Tour. Soon enough, we'll hear her feelings about what will likely be the saddest birdie news of the day at the women's 2024 U.S. Open.

Jacob Camenker

Jacob Camenker Photo

Jacob Camenker first joined The Sporting News as a fantasy football intern in 2018 after his graduation from UMass. He became a full-time employee with TSN in 2021 and now serves as a senior content producer with a particular focus on the NFL. Jacob worked at NBC Sports Boston as a content producer from 2019 to 2021. He is an avid fan of the NFL Draft and ranked 10th in FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Accuracy metric in both 2021 and 2022.