ID :
75173
Thu, 08/13/2009 - 20:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/75173
The shortlink copeid
Appleby`s poor form `a bump in the road`
Improbable as it seems for such an accomplished golfer, Stuart Appleby is battling
to remain fully employed for 2010.
The 38-year-old Victorian is down among the dead men, 120th on the US PGA Tour money
list with three months left on this year's schedule.
It's been a jarring and unexpected year for a man who until 2009 had never endured
even the slightest hint of a slump, finishing no worse than 55th on the money list
over 12 consecutive seasons.
During those dozen years, Appleby won eight tournaments, finished in the top 30 on
the money list eight times and compiled a staggering $US23 million in prize money.
He once joked that by the time he was ready to retire he would be able to buy a
small island - like Tasmania - but his golf right now is no laughing matter.
His scoring average this year is 71.4 strokes - 1.7 strokes more than last year, and
he has plunged to 92nd in the world rankings, after starting the year ranked 38th.
Appleby, never one to shirk the tough question, believes poor driving has been the
primary cause of his slump, although statistical evidence points in another
direction.
"It all starts (from the tee)," said Appleby on the eve of the US PGA Championship.
"I haven't driven it long or straight enough. It's a systemic cancer that gets into
your game.
"You've got to start by hitting fairways. You cannot rely on getting lucky in the
rough. It just doesn't happen out here."
Fair comment, except that Appleby, who switched equipment companies at the start of
the year, is hitting only one per cent fewer fairways than last year - 57 per cent
compared to 58 per cent.
He also is hitting almost the same percentage of greens in regulation.
On the greens, however, he is making just 45 per cent of putts in the 5-to-10-foot
range, compared to 60 per cent last year.
Could it be that he simply is not making enough putts?
Appleby doesn't buy it, despite the statistical evidence, although he admits his
putting has been terrible.
Whatever the reason, the bottom line is that Appleby is resigned to playing the
low-key late season American tournaments that are filled by the tour's bottom
feeders, instead of taking October off.
"I've never had to stress at looking where I am (on the money list and world
rankings)," he said.
"I've got to get top 50 in the world (rankings to) secure the majors (for next year).
"I've played more golf than ever this year. You don't want to feel like you're
chasing your tail, but if you're not playing any good there's no point sitting at
home. You're not going to get any better sitting on the couch.
"I've never had a time where I've played (poorly) this long. It's a test, a bump in
the road. It's not going to go for ever.
"I know how to get out of it and when I do it will probably have more meaning than
just going along like I was.
"When I break through again it will be an interesting test, because it's something
I've never done before."
to remain fully employed for 2010.
The 38-year-old Victorian is down among the dead men, 120th on the US PGA Tour money
list with three months left on this year's schedule.
It's been a jarring and unexpected year for a man who until 2009 had never endured
even the slightest hint of a slump, finishing no worse than 55th on the money list
over 12 consecutive seasons.
During those dozen years, Appleby won eight tournaments, finished in the top 30 on
the money list eight times and compiled a staggering $US23 million in prize money.
He once joked that by the time he was ready to retire he would be able to buy a
small island - like Tasmania - but his golf right now is no laughing matter.
His scoring average this year is 71.4 strokes - 1.7 strokes more than last year, and
he has plunged to 92nd in the world rankings, after starting the year ranked 38th.
Appleby, never one to shirk the tough question, believes poor driving has been the
primary cause of his slump, although statistical evidence points in another
direction.
"It all starts (from the tee)," said Appleby on the eve of the US PGA Championship.
"I haven't driven it long or straight enough. It's a systemic cancer that gets into
your game.
"You've got to start by hitting fairways. You cannot rely on getting lucky in the
rough. It just doesn't happen out here."
Fair comment, except that Appleby, who switched equipment companies at the start of
the year, is hitting only one per cent fewer fairways than last year - 57 per cent
compared to 58 per cent.
He also is hitting almost the same percentage of greens in regulation.
On the greens, however, he is making just 45 per cent of putts in the 5-to-10-foot
range, compared to 60 per cent last year.
Could it be that he simply is not making enough putts?
Appleby doesn't buy it, despite the statistical evidence, although he admits his
putting has been terrible.
Whatever the reason, the bottom line is that Appleby is resigned to playing the
low-key late season American tournaments that are filled by the tour's bottom
feeders, instead of taking October off.
"I've never had to stress at looking where I am (on the money list and world
rankings)," he said.
"I've got to get top 50 in the world (rankings to) secure the majors (for next year).
"I've played more golf than ever this year. You don't want to feel like you're
chasing your tail, but if you're not playing any good there's no point sitting at
home. You're not going to get any better sitting on the couch.
"I've never had a time where I've played (poorly) this long. It's a test, a bump in
the road. It's not going to go for ever.
"I know how to get out of it and when I do it will probably have more meaning than
just going along like I was.
"When I break through again it will be an interesting test, because it's something
I've never done before."
