Robert

Damron

Briny Baird has replaced him in the field.

Gotta love social media. While NFPGA.com updated its main page to reflect who advanced, it was one of the three remaining contenders for the berth that shared the details with the world. Per Kyle Thompson on Twitter: “I guess it wasn’t meant to be. Robert Damron made a nice birdie on our first hole to get through the playoff. Good luck to him this week!” The field at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook is now complete at 144.

Damron was the fifth alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He gained entry this morning when Brendon Todd withdrew. This will mark Damron’s debut on the PGA TOUR this year. He’s coming off a T46 in the Nationwide Tour lid-lifter in Colombia. His last top 20 on the PGA TOUR was in October 2006. He’s 1-for-4 at the Mayakoba with a T22 in 2008.

Damron was the eighth alternate at the start of the week. He gained entry due to eight withdrawals this morning. TPC Southwind was once a bastion for success for the one-time PGA TOUR winner. He recorded three of his first nine (of 19) career top 10s on the track. However, he hasn’t cashed there since a T52 in 2005, having missed the cut in 2006 and 2011. He’s only 39 years of age, but hasn’t posted a top 20 on the PGA TOUR since October 2006. He’s 2-for-4 this season with no top 40s.

Damron has been playing this season on the Nationwide and PGA Tours. He has missed the cut on both of his PGA Tour starts, and has made the cut in one of his two Nationwide Tour starts.

Damron made the cut after two rounds and stood -3 going into the weekend. He then played his first nine Saturday one-under-par and stood -4 for the tournament when he quit. No immediate reason was given, but we’ll update this post if we hear any further information.

Damron had five birdies on his round, which is his lowest since the 2006 FUNAI Classic. Like many others playing on Past Champion status this week, Damron’s fantasy value is minimal but every once in a while, he gets hot for four rounds.

Last week, Damron made his first cut of the season on the Nationwide Tour, when he tied for second place at the Melwood Prince George’s County Open.

Last week, Damron made his first cut of the season on the Nationwide Tour, when he tied for second place at the Melwood Prince George’s County Open.

He was in the field for about an hour on Monday. He currently is in the field of the Nationwide Tour’s Knoxville Open.