Ewan Porter: Down But Not Out

BY Anthony Powter | 22 Aug 2008

It was only eight months ago that Ewan Porter was on top of the world after winning the Moonah Classic in a faultless display of golf. Porter’s 13-under-par total resulted in a seven stroke win, the third largest in Nationwide Tour history.

He collected US$148,248 for the win and jumped to No.2 on the official money list. Porter’s progression to the PGA Tour seemed assured.

Ewan Porter Audio Interview

With missed cuts in the last five tournaments and swing troubles, the 26-year-old is in search of answers for his recent bad form and has returned to Australia to re-group and get refreshed for the seven remaining Nationwide Tour events left in the season.

“I’ve probably been taking it a little too seriously,” remarked Porter from his southern Sydney base this morning.

“Lately, I’ve had no idea where the ball has been going and what my swing has been doing. It’s completely different to the way I was playing at Moonah, where everything was going straight and the feel was there and I felt faultless.”

The win in the Moonah Classic certainly changed Porter’s life. For a start, he has regained full Nationwide Tour playing rights till 2009, a result he dearly needed as he has been venturing to America since 2002 and had no full-time tour status there until his win last February.

Since turning professional in 2001, the New South Welshman has focussed on playing in the US, where he feels at home, loves the people and its lifestyle. There had been a brief stint in Asia in 2004, where he made the cut in all three starts on the Asian Tour with a T15 finish at the Carlsberg Masters his best showing, as well as in Europe.

In 2005, he played his rookie season on the Nationwide Tour after earning his card through the PGA Tour National Qualifying Tournament, yet was unable to keep his tour card after making the cut in just three of 17 starts. His best finish was a tie for 50th at the Rheem Classic, and he ultimately ended 213th on the money list.

At 26 and more than six years as a touring professional, Porter has matured into a true golfing professional. He knows now is the time to make his move in order to keep his career on track. Despite the recent setbacks, he’s not counting himself out of playing the PGA Tour next year.

“There’s plenty of tournaments still left and I only need one more top-3 finish and I’m there,” he says.

“To be honest I’ve been a little frustrated with myself out there and probably played too many tournaments in a row. I played for six weeks straight both in the US and Europe and that knocks you about.”

Through life experiences, Porter has become more of a realist with his chosen profession. The passion to succeed still burns strong, yet he has learnt to take the rollercoaster life-style associated with professional golf in his stride.

“I’ve got nine days back here to see if I can figure this out and hopefully, and fingers crossed, it will be all gold when I go back.”

Ewan Porter is on the verge of taking his golfing career to the next level if he can produce the goods in the seven remaining Nationwide Tour events this season. He currently sits 21st on the money list, just inside the desired top-25 who automatically graduate to the PGA Tour next season.

Cheques have not been forthcoming recently for him with earnings of just under US$11,000 since collecting US$148,248 at Moonah. He’s sitting on just under US$160,000 and knows that cuts will have to be made and a few top-15 finishes in the events left to secure the needed US$40,000 to remain in the zone for graduation to the main tour.

The Nationwide Tour Championship, which starts on the 6th November at the TPC Craig Ranch in Texas, will be the first event in the history of the Nationwide Tour where only 60 players will via for a million dollar purse. With a purse that large, the winner will take home a record US$180,000 check and combined with solid earlier results, ultimately secure their card on next year’s main tour.

That may be Porter’s last stand, however, there’s six more events before that season ending championship all with large purses and he is counting upon himself of moving before the season finale.

“All week since I’ve been home positive feelings about Moonah have been there. I’ve been watching the video clips, looking at the pictures on the walls, and it’s a great feeling.”

“I know that I’ll head back to America ready to fire and with the events left, just try and get the job done.”