Garrigus finds perspective after bout of drug, alcohol abuse  BETHESDA, Md. (AP) -- Considering the dark personal depths Robert Garrigus endured a few years ago, the thought of having a chance to win the AT&T National is something he can easily put in perspective.  Robert Garrigus has come a long way since an epiphany four years ago. (Hunter Martin/WireImage)
In his latest step forward following rehabilitation from alcohol and drug abuse, Garrigus shot a 3-under 67 on Friday to finish the second round tied for third at 4 under. He is in an unfamiliar position near the top of the leaderboard, being chased by the likes of Tiger Woods. "If I thought about winning," Garrigus said, "I'd shoot 80 tomorrow." Garrigus has come a long way since experiencing an epiphany one night four years ago. As he sat on his couch in Scottsdale, Ariz., after a night of heavy partying, he realized that he was wasting his life and his talent on alcohol and marijuana. He saw an infomercial for Calvary Ranch, a Christian rehabilitation center in San Diego, and drove there the following day. The 45 days he spent at the center changed his life. "Anything that happens on the golf course doesn't mean anything compared to what I went through in rehab," Garrigus said. "Changing your life over is the hardest possible thing you can do." Garrigus, 29, said he used to play golf while high, but in rehab he added 30 pounds of muscle and "came out healthy and ready to go." The cloudy feeling that used to frustrate him is long gone. This week, Garrigus is paying tribute to the members of his family that have served in the Armed Forces. His brother was on the front line with the Army in the Gulf War, his father served in the Air Force and both of his grandfathers fought in both World Wars. Garrigus is wearing a hat this week with a camouflage design. "This is so gratifying to have something to play for," Garrigus said. Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. |
PGATOUR.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network