Rich

Beem

The Beemer split the fairway at the par-4 sixth hole, and then walked off. He was 3-over through five holes and 6-over for the tournament at the time. He had surgery in his back in April 2010, but this is his first WD during a tournament since. He’s now 4-for-20 on the PGA TOUR this year and entered this week ranked 203rd on the money list. He is not scheduled to tee it up at next week’s McGladrey Classic.

Making just his fifth start of the year, the Beemer capitalized with six birdies against three bogeys. Three of his birdies measured over 13 feet, the longest of which 25'6" at the third hole. He also rolled in par saves of 24'8" at the fourth and from six yards just off the green at the 18th.

The three-time TOUR winner has made just four starts in 2012, with his only made cut a T12 at Mayakoba. There is reason for hope, as he finished T15 in last year’s edition of this event in what proved to be his best week of 2011.

Beem has been playing the 2012 season out of the Past Champion category and has safely navigated the cut in three of eight events. His T12 at the Mayakoba Golf Classic is his best. Were he to have enough rounds for his stats to be official, he would rank 170th in driving distance.

The Beemer was the fourth alternate at the start of the week. He gained entry when J.B. Holmes withdrew. Beem hasn’t played since the PGA Championship. He’s cashed in four of nine starts on Past Champion status and sits 185th on the money list. He’s competed in 11 editions of the CMNHC, including the last eight. His best finish of four top 25s was a T3 in 2005; he’s also missed four cuts.

Beem withdrew from last week’s Frys.com Open after 23 holes due to neck and back injuries. As a result, he fell three spots on the money list to 206th. He hasn’t cashed in his last six starts.

Bothered by neck and back injuries, Beem had to withdraw after 23 holes of the Frys.com Open two weeks ago. Today’s result can’t rule out discomfort or rust as he failed to circle a birdie all day. He hit just 11 greens and took 30 putts.

Beem was given a sponsor exemption to compete. This is about as home game as it gets for the Austin, Tex. resident by way of El Paso. He’ll be making his 13th appearance in the VTO and his third at TPC San Antonio. He has no fantasy value.

Beem won the 2002 edition at Hazeltine National GC (site of this year’s Ryder Cup), by one over Tiger Woods. The win, his only top-30 finish in 14 attempts, came in his second appearance, and is accompanied by a lifetime exemption into the championship. The 45-year-old hasn’t teed it up in tournament golf anywhere since last year’s PGA, where he missed the cut by eight. Since cashing a T36 in 2012 (Kiawah Island Resort), he’s missed the last three cuts by a combined 20 shots.

Beemer’s only other start this season came at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he missed the cut. In his previous 11 trip to Montrêux, he’s cashed on five occasions including a couple of top 20s, but hasn’t made a cut since 2006. There is little reason to invest in him in any format.