Steven Bowditch of Australia felt comfortable in Texas ever since moving to the Lone Star State in 2006.
However, there was extra meaning when Bowditch collected his second PGA Tour victory last year in the AT&T Byron Nelson and celebrated with his wife, Amanda, on the 18th green at TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.
His title defense begins Thursday, not far from his home in Flower Mound, Texas.
“Pretty surreal feeling,” Bowditch said after posting a 5-under-par 64 on a course shortened because of rain that affected the tournament all week, winning by four strokes over Charley Hoffman, Jimmy Walker and Scott Pinckney.
“Taking photos on the green today was definitely the second-best time I’ve had on that green.”
No. 1 was posing for pictures after their wedding at a church near the resort on Sept. 10, 2011, when their honeymoon villa was located only a few steps from the green.
Bowditch, 32, said he basically “threw a dart at a map” about 10 years ago, and he hit North Texas after he won the Jacobs Creek Championship in Australia on what is now the Web.com Tour.
The Aussie was deciding where to make his base in the United States while trying to reach the PGA Tour.
It has worked out pretty well, as he met local girl Amanda. They live about 11 1/2 months of the year in Texas and spend the rest of the time in Peregian Beach, Queensland, Australia.
Seems to be permanent.
“I can’t see us moving anywhere else,” said Bowditch, whose only other victory on the PGA Tour came in 2014 downstate in the Valero Texas Open on the AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio. “No state tax.”
That first one didn’t come as easily, as he survived a 4-over-par 76 in the final round and held on to win by one stroke over Will MacKenzie and Daniel Summerhays.
Still, the second victory was difficult in its own way.
“I wasn’t really at ease,” said Bowditch, who won four times in Australia and has seven titles in his pro career. “I guess you probably call it a duck on the pond. The feet are running, churning a mile a minute. I’m cruising. That’s how I felt out there. During that last hole, it was pretty good, a great feeling. …
“The first one’s always special. But to be able to win in your hometown in front of all your friends and family, it’s definitely something that will be with us forever. I’m an Australian Texan now.”
Bowditch tied for 10th in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions to open this season, but he has struggled since with seven missed cuts, including the last five in a row.
However, no one could have seen his victory coming last year, as he had missed the cut nine times since finishing second in the Frys.com Open.
“I had run out of money,” he joked when asked what made the difference in the AT&T Byron Nelson. “It’s basically the way my career has been my whole life. You know, I guess when it’s good, it’s good, and when it’s not, I’m just trying to hang on and make some cuts.
“You know, it’s the game of golf. I’m obviously not at the superstar level. I just go out there and do my best, and hopefully every now and again I get a chance to win.
“I’ve been able to just gain that experience, and you know the feelings that are going to come up in different scenarios. I’m lucky enough to be able to do that a few times now, so I understand when a truck is coming to get out of the way.”
Perhaps that is always the way it is going to be for Bowditch, who was targeted for superstardom when he was young but battled depression, sleeplessness, lack of focus, drinking and a near-drowning.
The Bowditches recently made a $50,000 donation to Momentous Institute, a youth-services organization that is one of the AT&T Byron Nelson’s charities, and officials will use it for a library and a technology space upgrade, plus a putting green.
“What they have given me, and I can give back, it’s a great circle,” Bowditch said.
What Texans have done is make the Aussie feel right at home.
–Story courtesy of The Sports Xchange, TSX Golf Editor Tom LaMarre
