'No pressure' for Boldy at PGA Tour Canada's CRMC Championship

BRAINERD, Minn. -- Matt Boldy admits he doesn't feel pressure when he's on the ice with the Minnesota Wild. The 22-year-old forward has a certain "expectation" of himself, which only is getting higher after he had 63 points (31 goals, 32 assists) in 81 games last season and signed a seven-year, $49 million contract ($7 million average annual value) on Jan. 16.

But when it comes to participating in PGA Tour Canada's CRMC Championship presented by Gertens, which he received a sponsor's exemption to play in, he can drop those expectations.

"There's no pressure. I just want to go out here and have fun with the experience," Boldy said Wednesday following the opening nine holes in the ProAm at Cragun's Legacy Courses. "I mean, sure, there'll be some competitiveness, some bad words and maybe a couple fits thrown, but that's just competitiveness. I'm not trying to be unbelievable or anything like that.

"It's more of a pretty cool experience to have in your back pocket and to talk about in the future. Not too much pressure."

This year's tournament is being held on the Dutch 18 course, redesigned by Tom Lehman, a Minnesota native and winner of the 1996 Open Championship.

The field of 156 players will be cut to the top-60 professionals, and ties, after 36 holes, plus any amateurs inside the top-60 on Friday.

Boldy, who has a plus-1.5 handicap, played the course for just the third time this summer Wednesday, noting his day's first tee off on Hole 10 was "rough" but he finished Hole 18 "the best of the day" with a birdie on the par-5 to finish the day at 1-under 35.

Boldy's older brother, Mike, will be his caddy during the tournament.

"He struggled a little bit early, but he pulled it together, so we're doing all right," Mike Boldy said of his brother.

Added Mike, "he's always tried to keep up with me playing sports and everything. Obviously he excelled in some aspects. But I'm so proud of him, and I'm excited to share this with him.

"We'll see what happens in a couple of days and if he makes the cut."

Still, no pressure.

"I mean, that's golf," Matt Boldy said. "The game is full of ups and downs. But again, I think for me, the way I look at it, in hockey, as a professional player, I should have an expectation to be good. To be the best. So in golf, I don't have much expectation. If I go out there and shoot 100, it's not going to hurt my feelings too much. And if I go out there and play really well, then good for me.

"It's just about the experience. One that is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We can worry about hockey season when that comes into play soon enough here."

Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Wild