They weren't winners, but they went home happy Hensby, Cejka and Purdy all took away something positive from Grayhawk  Special to PGATOUR.com SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- For Mark Hensby and Alex Cejka, the PGA TOUR's inaugural Fall Series has turned out to be a boon and a blessing. For Ted Purdy, the future is still unfolding and, unfortunately, unknown.  Mark Hensby went back and forth with winner Mike Weir all day in the final round for the lead. (Feldman/WireImage)
Hensby made a gigantic leap up the money list from No. 151 to No. 99 during Sunday's final round of the Fry's Electronics Open, where the Australian finished solo second by a single shot behind Mike Weir. Closing with a 1-under-par 69 at windblown Grayhawk Golf Club to get to 13-under 267, Hensby cashed a check for $540,000, which upped his season total to $969,731. "It's a relief," said Hensby, 35, a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR who had vowed earlier not to return to PGA TOUR qualifying school regardless of the outcome. "Every year is a stepping stone, and there are so many doubts in this game. I'm looking forward to next year now. And even if I had not kept my card, I would still be looking forward to next year ... but now that I have my card back, I don't have to worry about it." Cejka, a native of Germany who lives in Las Vegas, went into this week as the much-ballyhooed "bubble boy" at No. 125 on money list. He knew his season could be riding on a top-10 finish, and he got there with a tie for sixth. "Thank goodness! I'm glad it's over, and I can finally breathe. I should be OK now," said the 37-year-old Cejka, who also shot a final-round 69 to earn $151,250, which moved him up the money tree into the No. 110 position with two tournaments -- the Ginn sur Mer Classic at Tesoro and the Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart -- to go in the 2007 season.  Alex Cejka moved up the money list after his sixth-place finish. (Badz/PGA TOUR)
"I just kept grinding and grinding, and fighting and fighting, and with the wind blowing 30 mph, it was more difficult than playing in Europe. It really was," said Cejka, who had to wear his long hair in a ponytail to keep it out of his eyes. "So this is a big relief. I like the way (the Fall Series) is turning out, and I'm looking forward to next year more than ever." Purdy, who lives in Phoenix and had high expectations coming into the week, earned just $11,250 with a tie for 55th. He currently sits No.124 on the money list with $748,002. Making his situation even more dire, his two-year exemption for winning the 2005 EDS Byron Nelson Championship runs out this year. "I was hoping to end my season right here and right now, but now I've got to go out and play and pray," said Purdy, who shot 71 to finish at 4 over. "I'm committed to the last two tournaments of the year in Florida. And even if I'd make enough money (at the Ginn sur Mer Classic) I'd still have to play at Disney (the Children's Miracle Network Classic) because I can't deny my two kids."  Ted Purdy needs to play a few more tournaments to secure a spot on the TOUR for 2008. (Feldman/WireImage)
What would be nice, Purdy added, is if some of the pressure would be gone before he reached Space Mountain. "It would really be nice if I could get things taken care of next week and just have a fun-filled weekend with family instead of a stress-filled one," said the 34-year-old. If anything, Purdy said he is encouraged about his play lately and just wishes he would have made a couple of different choices earlier. "Looking back, I made two mistakes this season: I fired a good caddie (Pat O'Bryan) and I quit working with (instructor) Pam Barnett," he said. "As a result, my putting has been horrific and my ball-striking terrible." That's why he isn't taking any chances. "Yeah, I sent my entry fee for (qualifying) school in two weeks ago," he said with a shrug. "I haven't been to school since 2002 -- I actually got my card back in 2003 through the Nationwide (Tour) -- but I'll be there if that's what it takes. "Having said that, the way I'm really looking at all of this is, my TOUR school is the next two weeks." |
PGATOUR.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network