THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 11, 1994 TAG: 9407110168
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
In the last few years, the once-promising golf career of Scott Verplank has gone verplunk.
While more than a year of inactivity and virtually no earnings on tour the previous three seasons hasn't done much for Verplank's career, it's done wonders for his attitude and approach to the game. And after finishing 11-under and tied for fourth at the Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic, there are indications Verplank's golf game may be on the rebound.
``I'm just trying to move in the right direction and obviously I'm heading that way,'' Verplank said after Sunday's 67, his third consecutive sub-70 round.
The finish was Verplank's best since 1990, when he tied for third at the Anheuser-Busch and followed up the next week with a runner-up performance at the Bank of Boston Classic.
Verplank earned $303,589 on tour in 1990. He earned $4,955 in the next three seasons.
Verplank entered 39 tournaments in 1991 and '92 and made two cuts. He didn't play at all last season after elbow surgery in November 1992, his second on the right elbow. He didn't play golf for a year afterward and had doubts whether he'd ever return.
``You always wonder,'' said Verplank, who earned $45,466.67 Sunday and moved up to 95th on the money list. ``In a weird sort of way it was really good for me to get away from the game. I kind of reprioritized my life. Golf was my top priority; now it's about fourth or fifth.''
Verplank said his wife, child and his health all rank ahead of golf on his list of priorities. A diabetic, he said he has to take care of himself so that he can enjoy his family and playing golf.
Verplank was a U.S. Amateur champion, NCAA champion and won the Western Open while he was still in college. Greatness was projected but has never been attained.
``I still want to be the best player I can, but I don't lie awake at night worrying about it like I used to,'' Verplank said.
HARD HAT AREA: Pat Neary of Williamsburg was minding his own business, standing alongside the gallery ropes on the eighth hole Sunday when the shouts began: ``It's coming in right!''
And right on Neary's head. He ducked and tried to protect a female friend, but the drive of Steve Lamontagne clocked Neary right on the noggin. The dull thud sounded like a baseball bat hitting a tree.
``You get a ringing sensation in your head,'' said Neary, who was hit about 3 inches above the temple but wasn't seriously injured. ``Hopefully, my skull's not cracked.''
The ball bounced off Neary and toward the fairway but remained in the rough. As Lamontagne approached his ball, he looked at Neary and asked if he was OK.
``Yeah,'' Neary said. ``Sorry I couldn't give you a better lie.''
JUST CHILLING: Justin Leonard, fresh off an NCAA championship, didn't seem too tense about playing in the second-to-last group on Sunday with a chance to contend in a PGA tournament.
He hit his drive about 300 yards on the eighth hole, down the hill well beyond the landing area most players hit to. He hitched up his pants in Palmer-like fashion as he walked down the fairway and said to the gallery, ``That was my 3-wood.'' When he got to the green, Leonard marked his ball, turned to the gallery and said, ``Did you see where my drive went?''
After finishing third and pocketing $74,800, Leonard was asked if any of his college classmates were making that kind of cash.
``I doubt it,'' he said. ``If they are, good for them.''
FORLORN LOHR: Bob Lohr led the Anheuser-Busch for the tournament's first 53 holes. But, including Saturday's double-bogey on 18, he played the final 19 holes of the tournament at 3-over-par and ended up in a three-way tie for seventh, good for a $35,475 paycheck.
``I never hit many very good shots today,'' Lohr said before scurrying off to the showers. ``I thought I had about four reasonable birdie putts today and only made two of them.''
CHIP SHOTS: Only three players - winner Mark McCumber, third-place Justin Leonard and Michael Bradley, who tied for fourth - shot in the 60s all four days. . . . While there were a bevy of chip shots that could be regarded as the shot of the day, runner-up Glen Day's 240-yard 3-wood at No. 7 that set up an 8-foot eagle putt must be considered. by CNB