Rod

Pampling

The Aussie veteran has enjoyed the event in all those years stretching back to 1996. In fact he has 13 top 30 finishes in all that time including six top tens and a best of T2 in the 2012 renewal. However since the move to the RACV Royal Pines Resort in Surfer’s Paradise, Queensland he has managed only T32-MC-T15-T11. That record does indicate that he might be warming to the task but than again he hasn’t ticked a top 20 since this time last year (in this event). In fact he hasn’t even made a top 30 and not one top 40 since April.

Pampling matched the course record (11-under 60) en route to his victory here, two years ago. He beat the big-hitting Brooks Koepka by two strokes that week. His return visit yielded a T47 last year. More recently, Pampling arrives with 12 straight starts without a top 40. Given his long-term baseline (poor) and lack of recent form, gamers can safely leave him on the bench this week.

His second shot ended up against a large hedge and he failed to put the ball close, not even putting the chip on the green. He took a six on the short par four, ending his run, and managed to shoot just even par over the final two rounds after holding the clubhouse lead on Friday night.

He has a one-shot lead over Stephen Ames, Stewart Cink and Charley Hoffman heading into Saturday’s golf.

The Australian has enjoyed a quietly efficient season despite being strapped with Past Champion status. He’s 12-for-17 with a pair of top 10s, qualified for the Playoffs (although he was one-and-done after missing the cut at The Barclays) and starts the Fall Series ranked 119th on the money list. At TPC Summerlin today, he tripped all over himself right out of the block with a bogey at the 10th hole (his first). He then failed to hit the 11th green in regulation but buried a par save of 29'11", setting the tone for the rest of his round. He circled seven birdies thereafter, four of which longer from 10'5"-13"1".

The Aussie has notched six cuts in nine starts, including his last two, with his best week of the year coming in January at the Farmers Insurance Open (T8). He’s 58th in all-around ranking, 31st in ball-striking and 53rd in GIR. What seems to be holding him back is the flat stick, as he ranks 109th in Strokes Gained-Putting and 138th in total putting.

Pampling is once again fully exempt. He was the only golfer on Past Champion status last year to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs and makes for a mild sleeper in 2012 even though he’s 42 years of age. He buried eight birdies today including on all four par 5s and finished two strokes off the early clubhouse lead.

The Aussie has seen the weekend in four of his last five events, which include three top-30 finishes. Length will likely be a factor at Bethpage this week, so his 108th driving distance rank is a concern. His participation in the 2011 FedExCup was cut short after he missed the cut in last year’s Barclays.

The Aussie has fared considerably well at Congressional, posting top 20s in each of his three appearances (2007-09). Today’s round was one of the more memorable given he buried six birdies to offset two bogeys, one of which as a result of a whiffed par save from three feet at the 14th hole. His notable conversions included birdies of 33'5", 12'8" and 24'3" at the 13th, 15th and ninth holes, respectively. He also poured in respective par saves from 11'2" and 20'2" at the 11th and second holes.

It’s a recurring theme the day after the U.S. Open sectional qualifiers, and it doesn’t matter if guys earn an exemption into the majors or fall short. Pampling was one of 16 at the Columbus, Ohio site to secure a berth into the major, however, so he’ll return to action next week. He’s enjoyed a fair season, going 8-for-14 with three top 25s. He’s currently 114th in FedExCup points.