Tennessee native Snedeker competes in his 'fifth major'
By Bobby Hall, Special to PGATOUR.com
MEMPHIS -- Without hesitation, Brandt Snedeker says he considers the Stanford St. Jude Championship as his "fifth major." Being from Nashville, playing a PGA TOUR event in his home state is a pretty big deal.
"It's huge for me," he said. "It's the only tournament we get to play in Tennessee. I've got a lot of friends coming over for the weekend."
So it was no surprise that Snedeker, who charmed the golf world this year at the Masters with his game and his easy-going demeanor, was a bit concerned after six holes of the first round Thursday at TPC Southwind. He was 2-over par on a tough course with unusually windy conditions.
All Snedeker could do was play his way out of that predicament, and he did -- shooting 3-under-par 32 on the back for a 1-under-par 69 that left him four strokes off the lead.
"Yeah, there's a little extra pressure for a good start," he said, thinking about all those people planning for a fun weekend.
The 27-year-old Snedeker, a former All-America at Vanderbilt, may not quite be a household name in world golf just yet -- or even in his native state -- despite his impressive tie for third at the Masters. As he approached the 18th green in Thursday's first round, the public address announcer called him "SNEE-deker."
"I've heard it pronounced quite a few different ways," he said with a laugh, "but that's a good one -- I haven't heard that one in a while. I don't think it's that hard because I've grown up with it, but some people have a problem with it."
Snedeker is fully aware that more people recognize him now than a year ago, when he tied for fifth in Memphis. Even his dad, Larry, is getting more comfortable with his son's progress on the PGA TOUR. This time a year ago, his dad, being a somewhat nervous type, always turned his head and refused to look when his son putted. He'd just listen for the reaction of the crowd.
"I'm doing better now," Larry said, smiling and holding his hand next to his face. "I can kind of block my view of him with my hand and still see the hole, so I guess you could say I'm gradually getting there."
The comfort level for the Snedekers improved significantly after Brandt made last year's Wyndham Championship his first PGA TOUR victory, finished 17th on the money list with $2.8 million and was voted Rookie of the Year. His performance at the Masters, despite the disappointment of a 5-over-par 77 in the final round, endeared him to thousands of golf fans.
"It took me a while to digest what happened at the Masters, both during the tournament and after," his dad said, referring to Brandt's teary breakdown in a post-round press conference at the media center.
"We all know how big the Masters is, and all that goes with it, but I guess I didn't realize how much he really wanted to win that tournament. When you've got a chance to win and you don't win, it's really going to take its toll."
Everything that happened in Augusta only seemed to sky-rocket his popularity, though.
"I really don't know why," Snedeker said. "I just kind of play golf the way I do. My philosophy is to make sure I have a good time out there, and have a big smile and when somebody says 'good job' I want to make sure I saw 'thanks.'
"It's kind of the way I was brought up. You don't just ignore people. You kind of let them in. And I need all the help I can get, so if they want to root for me, I'd love to have 'em."
Snedeker's recovery from the emotional week at Augusta has been slower than he expected. The Stanford St. Jude Championship is only his fifth event since the Masters. He tied for 53rd at the Verizon Heritage and tied for 55th at the Wachovia Championship, then missed the cut at THE PLAYERS Championship and the Memorial. The 69 on Thursday was only his second round in the 60s since the Masters.
"You go through funks and unfortunately I've been going through one," he said. "I've been working pretty hard, but it's taken me a while to get comfortable again. Obviously, I want to fix what went wrong the last day of the Masters, and it just takes a little time."
But the recognition from the Masters continues.
"It's been great," he said. "People stop me everywhere and say they're rooting for me. It's a great thing to happen, and it's all positive. I'm very flattered that people have taken a liking to me, and like to see me play well."
His dad, a retired lawyer who works part-time in real estate, calls the reception for his son "wonderful."
"It's the best thing in the world that can happen to him," Larry said. "That's what he wants and he seems to thrive on it. I know he wants to be the best golfer out there, which he may or may not ever be, but that's his goal. I think he's already done more than a lot of people ever thought he would. He's still got a long way to go, of course."
But will his dad ever get comfortable enough to watch his son putt?
"I hope so," Larry said, still appearing to be a little nervous after Thursday's round but smiling. "What I really hope is that he gets far enough ahead that I don't have to worry about it."
That would make for a fun weekend for the Snedeker fans making the 200-mile drive from Nashville.
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