New attitude could help Quigley land that elusive first victory  PGATOUR.com Contributor SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Who is the best player never to have won on the PGA TOUR? For more than a year, Brett Quigley, who will start the final round of the FBR Open three strokes off the lead, has held that distinction. However, I think that it may be time to change the wording to 'best player yet to win." I have asked Brett about this description on more than one occasion. He always answers the question with a smile on his face. The standard response is, "if it happens, it happens. I am not going to force it."  Brett Quigley is trying not to put too much pressure on himself. (Marc Feldman/WireImage)
If you look at his results from the 2006 season, it is easy to assume that the path to success on the PGA TOUR has been easy for Brett. His 10 top-10 finishes last year were a career high and his trip to THE TOUR Championship was his first. For a man who turned professional back in 1991, though. it seemed that his star would have risen a little faster. Brett was an Academic All-American in 1990 and '91 at the University of South Carolina. A former winner of the U.S. Junior, Brett seemed destined for success in the professional ranks. He was one of two players who attended college in the spring of 1991 and made it to the finals of Q-School that fall. (If you can name the other one, you get a gold star.) However, Brett would spend half a decade slogging through golf's minor leagues before reaching the PGA TOUR. The journey took Brett from the mini-tours of the Carolinas and Florida to Monday qualifiers for Nationwide Tour events. In 1996 he won on the Nationwide Tour for his first of two career victories. Length off the tee was never an issue for Brett, but his control held him back a little. Swing issues can be worked out on the driving range, though, and when it comes to instructors, Brett has one of the best in Todd Anderson. Using his natural athletic ability and wiry strength, Brett swings within himself now and the result has been consistency. He has always had a world-class short game and putting stroke. The years of struggle for Brett had more to do with the pressure that he put on himself than any lack of physical ability. I joke with Brett now because he is always smiling at the golf course. This was not always the case. Brett was not always able to put the last shot behind him. He wasn't exactly a Tommy Bolt, though. His struggles were more internal and, sometimes. those are the worst kind. Something happened to Brett a couple of years ago, and all that changed. The most improved part of Brett's game over the last few years has been his attitude. His demeanor improved, as did his results on the golf course. The only thing missing from Brett Quigley's resume is a victory on the PGA TOUR. That could all change on Sunday. Players tend to play their best golf when their wives are expecting. Perhaps it is something in the paternal instinct or the life-changing perspective of parenthood. On Sunday Brett will be in the final group yet again, vying for another title. I know that as a member of the media that I am not supposed to chose sides. But I was a player first and I will be pulling for my old friend. Copyright 2007 PGATOUR.com. All rights reserved. |
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