ATHENS — They are all here in search of something.
Most are golf’s obscure, hopefuls chasing their professional golf dream. Scattered throughout the field of the Stadion Classic at UGA are the upper-40s set — many PGA Tour decorated — with dreams of their own.
Woody Austin makes no qualms about his quest.
“I would not even be playing if I wasn’t trying [to get back to the PGA Tour],” the 48-year-old Austin said. “No offense to this [Nationwide] tour, but I’ve been out [on tours] for 18 years, and this is a means to an end. This is not just to keep playing golf. I’ve played enough golf just to play.”
Austin shot a third-round 66 on Saturday at the University of Georgia Golf Course and is one stroke off the lead entering the final round at the Nationwide event. Austin is tied with youngsters Bio Kim and Billy Horschel at 12 under par. They trail leader Tyrone Van Aswegen, who is 13 under par after a round of 65.
Austin has three PGA Tour victories to his credit and played on a Presidents Cup team.
“I’m not playing this to get ready for the senior tour,” said Austin, who had a chance to win last week’s event. “I have no interest in looking two years ahead. I’m looking at playing 17 years out there, and I’m pretty [expletive] that I’m playing out here and I’m just trying to get back.”
Two-time U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen is playing his second Nationwide Tour event, having missed the cut last week in Valdosta. He is tied for eighth at 10 under after a third-round 66. Among Janzen’s eight PGA Tour victories, in addition to the Open titles, is a Players Championship. He also played on two Ryder Cup teams.
This is about a return to past glory. The Champions Tour, for those 50 and over, awaits. However, that is down the road.
“There are days when I get out of bed that I wish I was already 50 because I feel like it,” the 47-year-old Janzen said. “Mentally, I’ve always wanted to stay on the PGA Tour and stay competitive. That is why I train hard and practice hard. It’s tough. The players are getting better and better. You have to work really hard to stay up with them.”
Count Joe Durant, a four-time PGA Tour winner, in the category of wanting to get back where he was once. He lost his tour card last year when he failed to finish among the top 125 money winners.
Austin, Janzen and Durant have split time this year between the PGA and Nationwide tours. They take advantage of past-champion exemptions on the big tour when available. The only way to get full status on the PGA Tour back is to win three times on the Nationwide this season. If they finish among the top 125 money winners in their limited PGA appearances or finish in the top 25 on the Nationwide, they can return next season.
“When I come out to the Nationwide events, I want to play well,” the 48-year-old Durant said. “I’m not just showing up to tune up for something else. I’m here to try to win the golf tournament. You have to go into it with that attitude or else you are going to get run over.”
Bart Bryant, who counts the 2005 Tour Championship among his three PGA Tour victories, is here. You will remember him as the golfer who beat Tiger Woods by six strokes at East Lake Golf Club. He is here playing his first round of competitive golf in nearly three years. Two wrist-fusion surgeries have helped to the point where the 49-year-old can get back on the course. He hopes to get his game tuned up enough to play 10 events on the PGA Tour. In another year, he will join the senior tour.
“I was very, very itchy,” Bryant said of his return. “My wife was ready to kick me out and get me back on the road.”
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