New Game, New Thinking: Brad Adamonis profile

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Rhode Island rookie Brad Adamonis leapt ahead of his fellow rookies last week with a tie for second at the John Deere Classic. The 35-year-old first-year TOUR player entered into a three-man playoff with Jay Williamson and Kenny Perry at TPC Deere Run, but the win went to Perry -- of course -- after just one hole. Still, Adamonis' second-place finish earned him $369,600 and 2,200 FedExCup points. Now with a total of 3,682 FedExCup points, Adamonis leads the rookie race. As part of the New Game, New Thinking series, Adamonis, the oldest of the 25 rookies on the PGA TOUR this season, recently spent some time with PGATOUR.com freelance writer Rudy Klancnik:

When you're a lifelong, die-hard fan of practically every team associated with the great city of Boston, times are good. After all, the Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox have each won a world title or played for one within the past year (as for the Bruins ... well, let's just say it's been awhile since they appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals).

Speaking for the rest of the country, we say, "Enough already." Speaking for himself, New England-born rookie Brad Adamonis wouldn't mind a little more. PGATOUR.com spoke with the Rhode Island native after (what else is new?) a practice session and found a guy with a mean tee ball and a great attitude.

PGATOUR.COM: So when did you start cheering for the Boston teams -- last December when the Pats were unbeaten or in June after the Celtics won the title?

BRAD ADAMONIS: No, it's not like that. I've been a Boston sports fan my entire life. I was there when they were lousy or losing in the playoffs every year. I've been there with a lot of people through the tough times. Now, it's pretty nice. Even the Bruins are looking pretty good now. This has been a phenomenal run.

PGATOUR.COM: You had quite a run at the start of the season, making six of your first seven cuts. What caused the struggles after that point?

ADAMONIS: I hurt my neck and couldn't do anything right. I made only one cut in my next six Tournaments after that great start. I feel a lot better now and played a lot better recently. I'm ready to compete the rest of the way.

PGATOUR.COM: The neck was a temporary obstacle, but I know you also have vertigo. How has that affected your health and your golf game?

ADAMONIS: It's not the type of vertigo that bothers me most of the day. I can go days or even weeks without anything happening. Then out of the blue, it hits me. It's the weirdest thing. For five minutes, I won't be able to see straight, and I get dizzy.

PGATOUR.COM: That can't be good for your golf game. How often has this happened on the course during a competitive round?

ADAMONIS: I'd say at least 10 times this season. I just have to sit down, close my eyes and take some deep breaths, and then it will pass. It's something that I've had for a while, but I was diagnosed with it just recently. The thing that makes it difficult is that it's so unpredictable. It comes and goes at different times on different days. Overall, it's something I've learned to live with and work with. In the big scheme of things, I've got it very good, and I've got a very positive attitude about dealing with vertigo as well.

PGATOUR.COM: You come from a golf-happy family, even a father who coaches golf on the college level. That had to give you TOUR fever at an early age.

ADAMONIS: No doubt. I still can't believe I'm on the TOUR some days. It's been fantastic. Courtesy cars and free dry cleaning. Heck, I can even look good with free dry cleaning.

PGATOUR.COM: Your pathway to the TOUR wasn't necessarily smooth, however. What finally clicked to get you over the hump?

ADAMONIS: Actually, I have to credit Bob Toski for giving me the unbelievable opportunity to practice all the time at his course. I went to him looking for work so I could practice on the side, and he said he'd rather have me invest 100 percent toward improving my game. That was huge. I made some significant progress with the game and found the confidence to reach the next level. I played the Hooters Tour and then the Nationwide [Tour]. And, actually, I credit the Nationwide Tour for really preparing me for the big TOUR. You play with a lot of great players and on some great courses. Sure, there aren't as many TV cameras, and the galleries are smaller, but the Nationwide [Tour] is an excellent primer.

PGATOUR.COM: You're a family man with two small kids (Nicholas is 1 and Grace is 2). How do you juggle that hectic life with your commitment on the TOUR?

ADAMONIS: Well, this is where the TOUR makes it easy on us again. They've got such fantastic daycare on the TOUR that my wife (Stacey) can come out during my rounds, and the kids are taken care of. They've traveled with me a lot this year, and we've had a blast. It's great having them along, and it's something we'd like to continue.

PGATOUR.COM: How do you take your game to that proverbial next level and start finishing with some top 25s? *

ADAMONIS: There's a lot of things I need to do, mostly with fine-tuning my short game. But the biggest has nothing to do with my golf swing or putting. I simply have to truly enjoy the moment and live in that moment. I can't get too serious or stressed out. I'll be fine if I can keep that as my guide.

* He since has -- a tie for second at the John Deere Classic