By Jeff Jensen
Special to PGATOUR.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- He’s known in many golf circles as the best young player in the states with no place to play. The fact that he’s not exempt on any major tours and spends most of his time traveling the country playing mini-tour events and the occasional PGA TOUR stop doesn’t concern Scott Piercy.

Following the opening round of the Frys.com Open, Piercy can be found on the range at the TPC Summerlin with long-time instructor and PGA Professional Tom Carlson, launching 330-yard drives into the horizon. If it wasn’t for his immense talent and the confidence that seems to just ooze out of him, Piercy might be taken for the average Joe.

In a plain white cap and a pink shirt with no visible logos, Piercy looks out of place on the practice facility laced with endorsement-clad players. Then you catch a glimpse of a laser-like long iron shot and realize not only does he belong on the TOUR, he might someday become a dominant player.

For the 27-year-old Piercy, the ultimate goal is to secure his playing privileges on the TOUR, giving him a place to hone his game week in and out. Another step towards that goal was taken Thursday as he made six birdies and posted an opening round 5-under par 66 in the Frys.com Open.

A native of Las Vegas, Piercy received a sponsor’s exemption into the event through the Las Vegas Founders Club which runs and operates the Frys.com Open. Taking advantage of his local knowledge, he birdied six of his first 11 holes and then made some key putts down the stretch on the 7,063-yard par 71 Tournament Players Club The Canyons. “I didn’t hit the ball very well, but made some putts and I’m happy to get out with 5-under at The Canyons,” noted Piercy. “It’s fun to play in front of family and friends who normally don’t get the opportunity to see me”.

A non-member of the TOUR, Piercy is playing in his sixth event of 2006. With the exception of his sponsor’s exemption in Las Vegas, he has Monday qualified for the other five events and has earned over $120,000 in limited action. His top finishes include a tie for 15th at the FBR Open in Phoenix and a tie for 27th at the recent 84 LUMBER Classic.

The total places him 16th on the non-member earnings list and puts him ahead of several notable players including European Ryder Cup member Robert Karlsson and European Tour standout Thomas Bjorn.

According to Piercy, his success has come from the fact that he feels like he belongs on the TOUR. “I feel like I should be out here and I’ve cleaned up some things in my game that have helped me play better. I’ve worked extremely hard on my putter and my improved course management has allowed me to get around the course and post good scores when my ball striking isn’t at its best.”

“We push the short game real hard and Scott is getting comfortable with doing what we’ve always tried to do and waiting for the opportunities to happen,” noted Piercy’s instructor Carlson. “Scott is comfortable playing with these guys and he just needs the opportunity to get out there and show everybody how good we are”.

Scott Piercy shot a 5 under on Thursday (WireImage)

Asked if a possible victory in this event crept into his mind during the first round, Piercy was not shy. “I think it’s always in the back of your mind, a win would mean an automatic exemption on the TOUR and I would be able to avoid the trip to Q-School in a couple of weeks.

“The ultimate goal is to be out here on full-time basis and if a few things had gone a little differently earlier in the season, I might already be out here.”

According to TOUR rookie Charley Hoffman, who was paired with Piercy in the opening round, that might be sooner than later. “Scott’s a very solid player and very confident in himself and confidence can take you a long way out here.”

Oh, and about the blank cap and shirt. “They (sponsors) can buy cheap now or expensive later,” quipped Piercy with his ever-confident tone. Sponsors might want to jump on the bandwagon now, because it may very well be full come the 2007 season. Talk around the golf world is that Piercy is the next big thing and, with the TOUR stopping this week in Las Vegas, that’s something I wouldn’t bet against.