Streelman's strange trip worthy of Rookie honors

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Kevin Streelman made the biggest FedExCup points move last week at The Barclays.

If Kevin Streelman had gotten his wish five years ago, he'd be coaching golf these days instead of playing it at the highest level.

Streelman had applied for the job as assistant golf coach at Duke, where he played before graduating in 2001. Streelman was passed over for Jim Kubinski, now the head coach at Notre Dame.

"I was disappointed for a time," Streelman said, "but I guess things happen for a reason."

Had Streelman gotten the job, he wouldn't be making a strong case for Rookie of the Year honors on the PGA TOUR, thanks to a strong closing rush that includes 12 consecutive made cuts and the biggest move in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Nor would the 29-year-old have enjoyed a 2008 season with more magical moments than some pros experience in a career.

Streelman's strange trip started this year at the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines, where he was waiting on the green as an alternate until a PGA TOUR official came and told him he had four minutes to make a tee time on the North Course after Mathew Goggin got sick and withdrew.

Streelman didn't just make his tee time, he made a name for himself by shooting rounds of 67 and 69 to get into the final group for Saturday's third round. A few days after Streelman introduced himself to Tiger Woods on the putting green, he was playing alongside him in the final group.

Although Streelman struggled during the weekend with rounds of 75 and 77 to finish 29th, it proved to be a valuable time for the Illinois native.

"The Buick (Invitatitonal) was definitely an eye-opening experience," Streelman said. "That day with Tiger was the greatest preparation I ever could have managed."

Streelman's memorable year was just beginning, with more up and downs to follow than a short-game clinic by Phil Mickelson. He failed to take much momentum from the Buick Invitational experience, going through a stretch where he missed five of six cuts entering the summer.

Streelman was looking like the same player who had toiled for five seasons on the mini-tours, creating enough doubt in his abilities that he applied for the job at his alma mater. In his first 14 starts this year, his best finish was a tie for 14th at the Shell Houston Open.

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A return to Torrey Pines for the U.S. Open seemed to work its magic again, though, as Streelman shot a 68 in the first round to share the lead with Justin Hicks. Streelman eventually finished 53rd, but that experience made him a better player.

He responded with his two best finishes on the PGA TOUR: 10th at the Travelers Championship, where he shot consecutive rounds of 62 and 63, and 12th at the Buick Open. Despite his strong late-season play, Streelman wasn't assured a spot in the Playoffs until he finished sixth in the final regular-season event, the Wyndham Championship. That earned him a trip into The Barclays last week where he produced even more magic.

Streelman entered the final round of The Barclays with a one-shot lead, but his lack of experience showed up as he appeared to fall out of contention when he was 3 over for the day. But Streelman fought back with birdies at the 16th and 17th holes, and came within inches of another birdie at the closing hole to finish just a shot out of the three-man playoff.

Close, but there was reason to light up a victory cigar: The $289,333 paycheck clinched his PGA TOUR playing privileges for 2009, meaning no more trips to qualifying school.

"That was a huge goal going to this year and hopefully (it) will take a lot of pressure off my play," Streelman said. "I've had some crazy weeks this year, but this one probably tops them all."

That fourth-place finish enabled Streelman to jump 65 spots in the FedExCup standings, moving him into No. 37. That assures him of a tee time in this week's Deutsche Bank Championship, and he just needs to make the cut at TPC Boston to advance to the third Playoff event, the BMW Championship. If Streelman can crack the top 30 and make it into THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, he will earn his first appearance in the Masters.

If nothing else, Kevin Streelman has shown he has game. He may not have the abilities of some of the world-class players, but he will get the most out of his talent.

"I try and play with a lot of heart. I try and give it my all every day, whether I'm practicing or playing, and I'm not too far away from an honest paycheck," Streelman said. "I grew up playing mini-tours for the past six or seven years where you grind out those extra couple hundred dollar paychecks to get gas in your car and food on the table."

Streelman's main competition for Rookie of the Year is Chez Reavie, who won the RBC Canadian Open, but has just one other top-25 finish, fifth at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

If I had a vote, it would go to Streelman. He may turn out to be this generation's Tom Lehman, who almost gave up competitive golf to become the Minnesota golf coach until he learned he would have to rent skis in the winter. Lehman eventually became the PGA TOUR's Player of the Year in 1996.

It's difficult to win Player of the Year during the Tiger Woods era, but Streelman has come a long way since waiting for that tee time on Torrey Pines' putting green in late January.

"It's been a wild ride," he said.