Brett

Wetterich

His starts are precious, as he plays out of the Past Champions category. Wetterich’s length could serve him well on the long TPC San Antonio layout as well as his eighth place ranking in driving accuracy. His only payday of 2012 came at the Mayakoba Golf Classic where he finished T63.

Wetterich completed the fifth round in an aggregate 10-over-par 72-72-64-85-77=370. He shared 148th place and sat 17 strokes outside the top 25 that will earn 2012 PGA TOUR cards. The one-time winner on the circuit will settle for Past Champion status next year. Look for him to crack a handful of fields and spend the majority of his time on the Nationwide Tour.

Wetterich was the first alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He earned a tee time due to four withdrawals early this week. Now saddled with Past Champion status for 2012, he’ll eke his way into 12-15 tournaments unless he molds his schedule for the Nationwide Tour.

The one-time PGA TOUR winner is 2-for-6 on the circuit this year. He’s also cashed in one of six starts on the Web.com Tour. None of his paydays on either tour have gone for a top 60.

Wetterich was the second alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He gained entry thanks to three withdrawals this morning. He’s cashed in just two of six starts this year, neither of which for a top 60.

Wetterich was the seventh alternate at the start of the week. He gained entry due to eight withdrawals today. He’s struggled through a forgettable 2012, going 1-for-5 on the PGA TOUR and 1-for-4 on the Nationwide Tour, failing to post a top 60 in either.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that the bomber donned the U.S. Ryder Cup garb in 2006, but since then he’s struggled with his game. This will be his first start of the season, so it’s hard to know what to expect. Last season he split 22 starts between the Web.com and PGA TOUR, but failed to collectively rake in six figures. If there was ever a tournament where he might could snap out of his lengthy slump, this would be the one.

Since a T55 in Houston, Wetterich has withdrawn early from the Heritage and Zurich Classic. He still has 14 starts on his Major Medical Extension to earn $717,911 and retain status.

Out since the Houston Open, this is a marvelous return to form for the one-time Ryder Cupper. Wetterich found only 11 greens in regulation but cleaned up exceptionially well, suffering just one bogey all day. He also converted on a pair of unexpected birdies from 22'3" and 14'5" at the difficult 4th and somewhat vulnerable 7th holes, respectively, to finish three strokes off the clubhouse lead.

It was a disappointing score for Wetterich, who started the afternoon’s final round in a tie for fourth place. Wetterich is playing on a Major Medical Extension this season and after today’s check for $114,375, he now has 13 starts to earn $616,702, which will retain his status for the remainder of the 2010 season.