The Gurgler is an unashamed fan of Rod Pampling, and try and provide a Rod Pampling US PGA Tour Update whenever we get the chance. Our last one was when he attempting to save his US PGA card. Boy haven’t things worked out.
We even tried to convince everyone that he could win last year’s British Open.
THE FORGOTTEN MAN OF AUSTRALIAN GOLF
He didn’t win that British Open, that didn’t change our mind. Although we had to convince ourselves that he played in the tournament at all, thanks to the appalling British Open TV coverage. Sure you can’t show everyone all the time, but maybe show someone at least once.
He was also the man who was in the top 5 at one stage of a US Masters one year, and the local broadcaster Channel Nein were unable to show any footage because there was no vision from the US host broadcaster.
He is an Aussie battler and a Queenslander, so it’s no problem. The way he battled through the Web.Com tour to get back onto the US PGA Tour for last season was some of his best, and the way he scrapped his way back onto this for the 2016-17 season was even more so.
That is why we dubbed him the forgotten man of Australian golf.
So convenient timing for our latest Rod Pampling US PGA Tour Update, but it certainly isn’t the first.
But with his successful weekend at The Shriners Tournament we had to update all of his fans.
Rod Pampling belied his 451st Ranking in World Golf, and indifferent start to the 2016-17 season on the US PGA Tour to take the Shriners Tournament by storm.Especially on the first day.
60 REASONS TO CELEBRATE IN LAS VEGAS
The former Australian Masters champion, Canon Challenge winner, and all round good guy was within one putt of the magical 59 mark. just missing out on the last.
Very few players get to break this mark, so for a man who almost didn’t make the US PGA Tour this season it was a sensational performance. It was a round that he produces from time to time, just like the final round at the Austraian Open last years that secured him a British Open berth.
A 60 is a tee-mendous result (pardon the pun), and gave him plenty of screen time for a change. Good to see almost breaking 60 gets you that honour. Could he hold on for a memorable, and drought breaking win?
Instead of fading under the pressure, he held strong in the second round with a three under score. This sent him to the top of the leaderboard going into the weekend. Hopes were rising.
Although the third round produced just an Even with the card score, and it wasn’t enough to keep top place, it was enough to share second place and be just one stroke behind. He could no doubt smell victory, and so could The Gurgler. He was in prime territory to upset the quality field for a first Rod Pampling US PGA Tour win since his Bay Hill Invitational win in 2006.
FINAL ROUND TENSION
The final round produced a final round head to head with Lucas Glover.
“Pamps” hit the front a few times, even getting two shots ahead before being pegged back and overtaken with a few holes to play. Bogeys on Holes 10 and 12 looked like his afternoon might be doomed.
But when it mattered most, the only professional golfer to have played hockey for Redcliffe toughed it out and kicked the arse of the field of hardened US PGA Tour professionals.
4 birdies in his last 6 holes, got the Queenslander to 20 under and Shriners tournament win. At 47 too, still proof that there’s plenty of life in him yet on the big stage.
BIG BUCKS
It shoots him up to fourth in Fed Ex Cup points and nets an extremely tidy winner’s cheque of $1,188,000.00.
Plus he now gets US PGA Tour exemptions up the wazoo, and a licence to print money.
The Gurgler very rarely gets to celebrate one of our favourites winning, so we shall do that now.
All we say is a hearty congrats to our favourite Australian golfer. We always believed.
Now, for that British Open….
Rod Pampling US PGA Tour Update – Season so far.
Missed Cut – Safeway Open – Score +2
T42 – Sandersons Farm Classic – Score -5
Win – Shriners Hospital for Children Open – Score -20
OTHER STUFF
Video of his WINNING press conference.
Both from US PGA website.
