Players Cup leader in pleasant pickle

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/07/2009 (6231 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They started a golf tournament at Pine Ridge this week and a wrestling match broke out.

The bout is Byron Smith against himself, or rather, where to play golf next week.

The 28-year-old Californian grabbed the lead at the Players Cup Friday by shooting a tournament-low seven-under-par 64 for seven-under 135, leaving himself in a prime spot to earn one of the Canadian Tour’s invitations to the RBC Canadian Open next week.

Smith, currently No. 2 on the money list, could get that start in a PGA Tour event — it would be his first — by being in the top five once the Players Cup is over, or by claiming the invitation available to the winner here.

"I think at first this is a no-brainer; you go to the PGA Tour," Smith said after taking a one-shot lead over Ryan Thornberry, who posted his second straight 68. "But the more you think about it, the more you weigh out the odds, it’s kind of a no-brainer the other way. Status is key."

The other way is the Nationwide Tour, the next level up and the main feeder tour for the big show. Smith is eligible to enter next week’s Nationwide event in Omaha because he finished in the top 25 last week at that tour’s tournament in Ontario.

"I’m in quite a dilemma; it’s a real pickle," Smith said. "At this point, one event on the PGA Tour and the experience and a paycheque might not be worth it because I need status. The best way for me to get status right now might be to go to Omaha and try to snowball something on that tour."

Smith, a three-time Canadian Tour winner, is zero for five at PGA Tour Q-school, so like every other aspiring tour pro, he’s looking for every edge he can as he tries to make the big time.

"It’s tough to pass up my first PGA Tour start," he said. "It’s all I’ve wanted. It was my goal starting the year to try to use this tour to get a PGA Tour start.

"But now I did it and I’m in a pickle. If I went to Glen Abbey and played great and finished 12th, they’d give me a big cheque but say, ‘See you (back on the Canadian Tour) at Jane Rogers (Championship).’

"It might be more reasonable for me to go top 25 on the Nationwide Tour."

About the business at hand, Smith made seven birdies and no bogeys at Pine Ridge on Friday, zooming to the front while most of the field was stuck in neutral.

"It’s not easy out here," Smith said. "The thing we had going for us (Thursday) despite the wind and cold was the course was still a little soft.

"Once the sun starts shining and the wind keeps blowing, it starts to dry out and you’ve got to hit really good shots just to hold these greens. I knew if the wind kept up today, nobody would run away."

After Thornberry, Aussie Luke Hickmott (a 71 Friday) and defending champ Wes Heffernan from Calgary (another 69) are tied for third at four-under.

The group at three-under includes first-day leader Rob Oppenheim (73), Mark Leon (65) and South African George Coetzee (67).

Dauphin’s Ryan Horn had 16 pars, one birdie and one double bogey to finish 72 for two-under through two days and was the only local to make the cut of plus-three. In the two-under group are Zack Shriver (71), Lucas Lee (69), John Ellis (71) and Canadian Derek Gillespie (70) from Ontario.

Thornberry, who will be with Smith in today’s final pairing at 1 p.m., figures he’ll need to step on the gas for the weekend.

"Looking at the weather, I’ve heard it’s going to be warm," Thornberry said. "So probably two more of these (68s) wouldn’t get it done. At least I doubt it, but you never know.

"But when the weather gets good out here and the greens are receptive, there are some low scores to be had."

Heffernan, who overcame a putting hiccup that cost him a double bogey No. 2 Friday, said he likes his spot just three behind and also his comfort level at Pine Ridge.

"I’m comfortable here for sure," Heffernan said. "The shot I hit into six today — played it further right and shorter than you’d think — but I’ve played here before and I know it kicks down and spins left."

Leon made five straight birdies on his front nine Friday and got his 65 to the house.

"I just kept playing solid and hung on today," he said.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

‘big break’ came right on cue D9

 

Canadian Tour Players Cup

Course: Pine Ridge Golf Club

Directions: Hwy. 59 north towards Grand Beach, go east 2 km on Garven Road.

Admission: Today $20; Sunday $25; weekly pass still $25; all available at the Pine Ridge entry gates.

Parking: follow the signs near the course.

Best spectator spots: The 18th and 9th greens are in close proximity. The 9th is always fun to watch because it’s Canada’s toughest par-3. The 13th is also good because it can be a driveable par-4 and it has a tilted green.

Tee times: Start this morning and go until leader Byron Smith tees off at 1 p.m.

Good advice: wear or bring sunscreen; keep cell phones off or silent; beware of poison ivy, abundant in underbrush; don’t be shy about autographs.