Preview notes: Wachovia Championship
By Lauren Deason, PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- More beatable than ever.
Four little words, one huge -- and lasting -- impact for Rory Sabbatini.
Last year Sabbatini tied the course record after shooting 64 in the third round of the Wachovia Championship. He salivated over the opportunity to be paired with Tiger Woods on Sunday.
Bring it on, he implied in his Saturday press conference.
Woods quickly made up the one stroke that separated the two on Sunday. He beat Sabbatini by four strokes to win at Quail Hollow Club but, at THE PLAYERS Championship the next week, the South African said that Woods didn't play flawless golf.
"The funny thing is, after watching him play on Sunday, I think he's more beatable than ever," he had said that day.
Now, nearly a year later, Sabbatini still gets flack from fans for the comment, which he thinks was misconstrued by members of the media.
"You try and deal with it and you try and ignore it and you try and go on," Sabbatini said. "I don't think you can ever say that you don't ever hear [the fan comments] because, if you say that, you are obviously lying. It's inevitable you're going to hear it."
Woods is noticeably absent from the field this week -- he's unable to defend his title after undergoing knee surgery -- but Sabbatini claims he doesn't care.
"I completely forgot [he wasn't here]. Sorry, I don't pay a lot of attention to what Tiger does," Sabbatini said. "Seriously, I didn't know. I completely forgot about that."
The outspoken PGA TOUR pro and four-time TOUR winner still isn't apologizing for last year's comment. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and to interpret it as they want to, he said.
Sabbatini now lives in Texas with his family. He explained his current feelings over last year's fan fallout by quoting some fellow Texans, ones who also lost love from fans when they made a comment about President George Bush.
"You know what, I think the Dixie Chicks summed it up," Sabbatini said, then referenced their Grammy-winning song, "I'm just not ready to make nice."
Same name, very different Trevors
Kids hung over the ropes and green barricades that separate fans from PGA TOUR pros at the Wachovia Championship, clamoring to get the newest Masters winner's attention.
"Trevor! Trevor!" they called, flinging hats, flags and programs at Trevor Immelman for his signature as he walked from the practice putting green at Quail Hollow Club towards the clubhouse.
A minute later, a different Trevor walked by with a bit less fanfare. Trevor Murphy, 23, signed the few hats extended his way as he walked the same path. He then headed for the driving range, where he met up with another group of young, autograph-seeking fans.
"Who are you?" one child asked.
"He's the future Tiger Woods," another said.
"How old are you? 20?" a child inquired.
Murphy signed a few items then politely asked if he could return after hitting balls.
"This is crazy," he said. "It's all new to me. Actually, I feel kind of goofy signing autographs."
A senior at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Murphy went through two rounds of qualifying to make the elite field at the Wachovia Championship. He survived pre-qualifying on Thursday at Firethorne Country Club (50 players advanced) then went back on Monday for the event qualifier, from which four players gained entry into the tournament.
Heavy rains drenched the course near Charlotte, so Murphy had to return again on Tuesday for a playoff with veteran Paul Claxton. He won on the second hole to make his first TOUR event.
"All of the players that I see on TV, now I'm seeing them in the locker room and hitting balls next to them on the course. It's really cool," Murphy said.
He graduates next month and hopes to make the PGA TOUR his full-time job. He plans to use this week as a learning experience and glean anything he can from TOUR pros he meets.
Murphy had to skip playing with his Charlotte 49ers in the Atlantic-10 Championships, as well as his last day of classes, to play at Quail Hollow this week -- but received his coach's blessing. His parents will fly down tonight to watch him.
"It's all surreal. That's the perfect word for it -- surreal," Murphy said.
That other Trevor
Immelman has put his John Hancock on countless yellow Masters Tournament flags and assorted memorabilia since his win at Augusta National Golf Club over two weeks ago.
In fact, his left hand is Sharpie-stained from using the pungent permanent markers too much.
"I had no idea what to expect and it was definitely more than what I expected," admitted the young South African. "I've signed more items in the last two weeks than I probably had in my entire life before that."
Despite devoting much of his time to autograph-signing both on and off the course, Immelman hasn't been too busy to catch one of his favorite television shows. The "American Idol" junkie didn't share his favorite singer on the show but did admit that he caught the program on Tuesday night.
"I've been a little disappointed with the results over the last couple weeks," he said of the show. "Music is my biggest hobby so it's something I'm interested in."
Buying a Mulligan
The Wachovia Championship is one of the hottest and hardest tickets to get on the PGA TOUR. In the six-year history of the event, the Charlotte community has fully embraced the tournament and fans come out in droves. Tickets sold out two months ago for this year's event.
One unique aspect about the Wachovia Championship, though, is their Mulligan Ticket Program. If a fan can't spend the entire day at Quail Hollow Club, they can donate their daily pass back to the tournament. Patrons who weren't lucky enough to get tickets the first go-around can head to three spots in the Charlotte area and purchase the slightly used badges. The tickets, which sell for a much-lowered price of $10, are good for the remainder of the day.
Proceeds from the program benefit the PGA TOUR Wives Association, who will use the money for local and national charities that support women and children.
"It's such a cool program. The tournament usually sells out so it gives the opportunity for people who wouldn't have the opportunity to come [get out to the event]," Dawn Lewis, wife of PGA TOUR player J.L. Lewis, said.
"They pick a recipient each year to give to and this year they are giving to the TOUR Wives Association so we are pretty excited about that."
To divvy up the money they raise at nearly every TOUR stop, the board of the PGA TOUR Wives Association meets at the end of each year and selects worthy charities.
"The board sits down and we receive requests from Association members, other organizations that we work with, ones that find out about donations on our website," said Amy Wilson, Mark Wilson's wife.
"The money goes back into the local communities for the tournaments and also nationwide for children and families in need," Lewis added.
Charlotte area golf fans can support the cause by purchasing tickets starting at noon each day in these Will Call locations: Monday through Sunday at Symphony Park (SouthPark Area); Monday through Friday at Carowinds/Fiesta Plaza Carolinas; Saturday and Sunday at Ballantyne Corporate Park.
Odd coincidence
Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson and Rory Sabbatini. They were Nos. 1-4, respectively, in last year's FedExCup points race after the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson and Rory Sabbatini. They were No. 1, No. 2 and tied for No. 3 last year on the final leaderboard at the Wachovia Championship.
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