Former Pepperdine star Michael Putnam earned his PGA Tour card for the third time as the No. 1 player on the Web.com Tour
Pepperdine standout and 2005 Byron Nelson award winner Michael Putnam is back on the PGA Tour, this time as the Web.com Tour regular season money leader with $450,184 in earnings. The top dog on the Web.com Tour earns fully exempt PGA TOUR status in 2013-14 and a PLAYERS Championship invitation.
It’s the third time Putnam has earned his PGA Tour card; his previous stints in 2007 and 2011 were both cut short by a wrist injury. Putnam, who won twice this year on the Web.com Tour and recently turned 30, is convinced his experience will keep him on the PGA Tour for many years to come. “I’ve definitely been in the same type of position many times and I know now how to deal with the pressure,” Putnam said. “I can deal with the nerves, especially those last putts to either to win or close out rounds.”
Putnam will have older brother Joel on the bag when the PGA Tour season starts this month. His younger brother, Andrew, who also competed on the Web.com Tour this year, may also caddy for him at some events. In an exclusive interview with California Golf News, we spoke with Michael Putnam about his return to the PGA Tour and goals for the upcoming season.
Congratulations on earning the Web.com regular season money title, which earns you fully exempt PGA TOUR status in 2013-14. You were pretty serious about finishing No. 1 going down the stretch.
It feels great. Being No. 1 on the Web.com tour is a huge deal. It’s a big accomplishment and only one guy every year gets there. It is a bit weird playing these last four events knowing that the pressure is really off me.
How strange is it knowing that your status is secure with so many others fighting for their card?
I do get asked every week from guys why I’m playing and, last time I checked, professional golfers play golf for a paycheck and if I don’t play, I don’t get a paycheck. The biggest reason, though, is that I’m playing well and I haven’t really played that much this year, I believe around 21 events.
Every week offers another storyline of players making a tremendous jump in the overall 4-tournament money list. Do you find yourself watching as a fan while you’re playing?
A lot of these guys are my friends and watching them grind it out for their PGA Tour card is exciting and you see someone like Will MacKenzie chip-in on the last hole at the second event and basically earn his PGA Tour card with that one shot. It’s fun to watch because I’ve been there in those situations needing a good score to earn my card and some years I’ve done it and other years I’ve fallen short. It’s fun to watch that type of pressure play out.
This is the first year with this type of format. Do you think they got it right?
I haven’t heard anything from the players about any changes they would suggest. Every player knows the situation and I think they did a great job. Everyone seems to embrace it and loves the format and I think the players feel fortunate that they get four chances to get their tour card instead of just one from the Q-school days.
One of the benefits as the top money winner is an invite to the PLAYERS Championship in May. Do you have any competitive rounds on the TPC course?
I haven’t played any competitive rounds on the TPC course. I’ve played on the Valley course and of course the Championship will also be at the Valley course. I have definitely thought about what the 17th hole is going to be like with 40,000 people watching you. A little different than when I’ve played that hole with my buddies.
You have a real family affair out there with your older brother (Joel) as your caddy and of course Andrew playing. Most families can’t even go on vacation together, how do you guys manage it without killing each other?
Andrew and I have a really good relationship and obviously a competitive one as well. And then having my older brother Joel on the bag, it can be a little tough bossing your older brother around. We seem to make it work and just last night we all went out to dinner together and other times we give each other space off the golf course.
What has been the most competitive tournament that you’ve played with your brother?
Earlier this year we finished 6th and 7th (Rex Hospital Open). I birdied the last hole to beat him by one so that was fun. We play a lot together at home, but it’s a good situation and we really root for each other and try to help each other out as well.
You’ve played the PGA Tour as a rookie in 2007 and again in 2011 before your wrist injury. Have you thought about a mindset going into next season?
I’m pretty confident in my game and I‘ve played two years on the PGA Tour and both years I was injured halfway through. I hurt my wrist in 2007 and then again in 2011 so I hope it’s not like a death wish every time I get on the PGA Tour. I’m just looking forward to being healthy for the entire year.
Well, you figured it out this year with back-to-back wins. You’ve been playing competitive golf for a long time what clicked this year for you?
Health played a big part of it, but the magical number of 30-years-old made me think a little more about my game and definitely having my younger brother on the tour was great. It made me switch my perspective and really let me feel more like the veteran and some of my experience finally sunk in.
Given how satisfying being No. 1 on the Web.com feels, is it almost better than earning a Battlefield Promotion with a third win?
Yeah, three wins on the tour would have been nice for the pocketbook more than anything. My goal this year was to get my card and once I got into position my next goal was the No. 1 spot on the money list. I put that goal out for myself in May after my first win and to accomplish it is very fulfilling and a great feeling sitting in this position.
Every accomplished player has a different route to the PGA Tour. Did your road seem more difficult than others or given the level of competition to make the PGA Tour, are you satisfied by your effort so far?
Well, a case in point is the 2005 Walker Cup team I played on and every one of us has at one time had PGA Tour status and we all had different roads getting there. Golf is a very crazy game and you can’t really predict what’s going to happen. I know that I’m a good golfer and I have the game for the PGA Tour. The years playing the Web.com Tour while watching some guys win on the PGA Tour was somewhat tough, but I knew that I would make it and I never got too down on myself.
You had a very successful amateur career at Pepperdine as the Byron Nelson award winner and Walker and Palmer Cup member in 2005. You must have thought golf was a piece of cake back then?
And my first professional tournament (Buick Championship) I finished 4th and I thought ‘this is easy.’ Turns out it’s not so easy.
Do you keep up with the amateurs and how glad were you to see the success of this year’s Walker Cup team?
Yeah I watched all of day one and I was really rooting for them. Being a former Walker Cup member, you’re a member of a pretty small club and I know that those amateurs are going to have a tough road when they turn professional but I think they’re all going to be stars pretty soon.
How did a kid from Washington wind up going to Pepperdine?
It was pretty easy … it rains every day in Washington. Pepperdine was an easy decision because it was a smaller school and they play great golf courses. I still root for the University of Washington, but I’m glad I chose Pepperdine. Last time I played Riviera I stayed on campus.
With the start of PGA Tour season happening right away, that must be a blessing for you since you’re playing well, but is it harder to force yourself to take a break?
I think it’s a huge advantage for me and everyone who gets their card from the playoffs. Because if you get your card then you’re playing well. In the past you earned your card and might have a few months break before you started playing on the PGA Tour. I know it takes me some time to get into that tournament groove and now going straight into PGA Tour events is a big advantage.
Outside of the Players, what tournaments are you really looking forward to playing again?
It’s nice to know that I’ll be able to get into some of the early events on the west coast. I really want to play Riviera and in Phoenix. I want to play the Memorial tournament and Colonial and then hopefully get some money and get into the majors.
