Michael Long earns second chance on USPGA Tour

BY iseekgolf.com | Nationwide Tour | 2004 Nationwide Tour Championship | Final Round | 01 Nov 2004

Kiwi golfer Michael Long is confident he will make the most of his second chance on the US PGA Tour.

The Perth-based golfer earned his full card for next year after clinging on to a top-20 finish on the Nationwide Tour after a nerve-wracking final tournament in Alabama.

Long, who started the week in 17th place, had to be content with a share of 37th place in the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship and watch as several players below him on the rankings produced strong performances at Alabama.

Two of them, 19th ranked Nick Watney and 23rd ranked Brett Wetterich finished first and second respectively to leap-frog the Kiwi on the money list, but he managed to hold on to 19th spot.

“It was a pretty uncomfortable afternoon for sure, especially as a lot of guys below me were playing very well this week,” Long said.

He was doubly concerned when he turned two-over par to face the back nine where he had made just one birdie in the first three rounds. The Kiwi dug deep with birdies at the 11th, 13th and 15th holes as well as three-putting the 17th for a par.

“I really played well on the back nine when I needed to pull something out. It was very pleasing. I guess in the end it was a key to hanging in the top-20.”

Long returned to close down his Florida home and head back to Perth tomorrow to recharge the batteries with a break, some boating and barbeques but is excited at next year’s prospects.

“Ever since I was on the PGA Tour I wanted another chance. When I qualified last time everyone said how exciting it was but to tell the truth I had no idea of what to expect.

“Now I know my way around, I know how the system operates and what to expect. I don’t think there’s that much difference in the quality of the golf between the PGA and the Nationwide. You just have to get used to playing around all the big names. After all a golf tournament is a golf tournament.”

Long has a rich pedigree in the sport as a former New Zealand Amateur Champion alongside his New Zealand Open title won at Paraparaumu Beach in 1996, the same year he ventured on to the Nationwide Tour. He played in Europe for the next three years, remarkably recovering from a broken neck to head back to the Nationwide Tour in 2000 and 2001, where he won fir the first time in the US at the Boise Open.

The Kiwi earned a place on the PGA Tour in 2002 where he finished 183rd with earnings of US$183,000 and dropped back to the Nationwide Tour,

Last year he won again at the Virginia Beach Open but his season tailed off, finishing 35th on the rankings. This year he has continued to improve, finishing second at the Lake Erie Classic after losing a playoff to Kevin Stadler and second at the Boise Open along with four other top-10 finishes, and making 15 of 27 cuts.

He will plan his year after a break in Perth, and while he would love to return for the Holden New Zealand Open, his focus is to make the most of his US opportunities.

“I believe my game has been improving over the past three years and I go back on the PGA Tour as a better player than when I was there last. Things have been slowly building and I am really happy with my game.

“I’m not forcing things as much now. I’m just concentrating on my game and letting it all happen.”

Three New Zealanders are assured of places on the PGA Tour for next year with Long joined by Craig Perks and Phil Tataurangi, with several others hoping to progress through the upcoming qualifying school.

Source – NZGA