Williamson's q-school success 'not exactly rocket science'

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Jay Williamson has advanced through the final stage of q-school five times in six tries.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Being known as one of the kings of the final stage of the PGA TOUR National Qualifying Tournament is sort of like getting honored as the valedictorian of summer school.

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Nice to get recognized, but this isn't the place you want to be.

Just ask Jay Williamson. He's made it through the last stage of q-school an amazing five times in six tries. (Michael Allen holds the record with nine successful tries in 13 attempts).

With Williamson tied for second at 12-under, one shot out of Graham Delaet's lead, when play was stopped for four hours early in Saturday's fourth round because of dangerous weather at Bear Lakes Country Club, he seems a good bet to up his q-school conversion percentage to 85.7.

Not that he's boasting about it.

"This isn't the place you want to be," the 42-year-old Williamson said, "especially as many times as I've been here."

Still, it's remarkable that Williamson has fared so well at a place where less than 20 percent of the 170-play field reaches their goal of finishing in the top 25 and ties. Ask Williamson the secret to his success, and he laughs.

"I guess it's because I've got more experience doing this than the other guys," he said. "I think this is just a week that probably fits my mentality. As a former hockey player, I've always been a grinder. And this is a week where you do more grinding than any other week of the year."

Williamson believes this 108-hole ordeal tests far more than his shot-making and short-game skills. The biggest competition is the mind game everyone battles for six days.

"It's more a test of wills than necessarily a test of golf," he said. "And I have a strong will to play golf for a living to support my family."

Williamson said he was given some advice by World Golf Hall of Famer Nick Price early in his career that continues to help him deal with the pitfalls of q-school. "He said to keep it out of the water, don't three-putt and don't make double bogeys."

Not exactly rocket-science stuff, but this is a week where simplicity works best. Hit as many fairways and greens and avoid the big numbers.

What Williamson would like to avoid, obviously, is being here for the seventh time. He could have had he won last year's three-way playoff at the John Deere Classic (Kenny Perry prevailed over Williamson and Brad Adamonis).

So far, Williamson has stayed away from the large numbers -- he has just two bogeys and a double bogey, offset by 16 birdies. But that doesn't mean he's been whistling down the fairways.

"I think it's hard for most people to understand how unpleasant this week can be," Williamson said. "But I also think everyone on the PGA TOUR should have to do this at least once. It's almost like continuing education, reminding people how good they have it on the PGA TOUR. Believe me, I've never forgotten that."

For Williamson, the problem hasn't been getting through q-school. It's all the return trips.

Every time he makes it, he thinks to himself this is the last time he has to put himself through such agony. But having finished in the top 125 just five times in his career -- the last time was 2004 -- he keeps having a tee time in early December.

"I'm in a precarious situation," said Williamson, who has earned $5.5 million in his career. "I've had a decent career, but I've never got to a certain stage financially or status-wise to get over hump. I'm tired of being precarious."

So even if Williamson is among the lucky ones to earn his card for next year when q-school ends Monday, the bigger key is trying to avoid another return trip. He's tired of having others tell him when and where he can play.

"I don't want it to stop this week," Williamson said of his strong play. "I need to keep this going. As much success as I've had at final stage, I don't ever want to come back."