New Game, New Thinking: Scott Piercy profile

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Mar. 11, 2009

As part of the New Game, New Thinking series (click here to learn more), PGATOUR.COM freelance writer Rudy Klancnik profiles Scott Piercy.

The basics

NAME: Scott Piercy

HT: 6-0 WT: 185

BIRTHDATE: Nov. 6, 1978

BIRTHPLACE: Las Vegas, Nev.

RESIDENCE: Las Vegas, Nev.

TURNED PRO: 2001

MAKING THE TOUR: Finished 9th on the 2008 Nationwide Tour money list.

Five things to know

He earned his first Nationwide Tour victory at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open with a tournament record, 22-under 262. He also set the 36-hole (16-under 126) and 54-hole (22-under 191) tournament records.

He won for the second time in three weeks, at the Northeast Pennsylvania Classic, coming from four shots back to win by two strokes on the strength of a final-round 64.

A birdie machine, he tied the course record at the Albertsons Boise Open, where he was the runner-up, with a 10-under 61 in the final round.

He won the 2007 Ultimate Game at the Wynn Las Vegas G&CC on the Hooters Tour on his fifth wedding anniversary and cites that win as his biggest thrill in golf.

Not just good at golf, Piercy helped lead his high school to two state championships in soccer.

For more on Piercy, visit his player page on PGATOUR.COM.
Check out more rookies:
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D. Fathauer	B. Todd
M. Borchert	B. Todd
K. Blanks	M. Leishman
J. Klauk

We caught up to rookie sensation Scott Piercy in his hometown of Las Vegas just minutes after picking up his kids from school. After the start Piercy's jumped out to in this young 2009 season, odds are good that he was the first in the car pool line. He finished fifth at The Honda Classic, sixth at the FBR Open and 12th at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Two more top 25s, and you have the best start of any rookie.

PGATOUR.COM: You've entered six tournaments and finished in the top 25 five times and in the top 10 twice, including a smooth fifth place in last week's Honda Classic. So I guess this PGA TOUR business is no big deal, right?

PIERCY: I wouldn't go that far. Suffice to say that it's been a pretty good start and one that I want to keep going.

PGATOUR.COM: While everyone wants to get out of the blocks quickly during their rookie season, or any season for that matter, are you surprised by how well you've done already?

PIERCY: I didn't set specific goals for my first few tournaments. I'm very pleased, sure. But I'm not super surprised. I knew I could play out here and make a lot of birdies. I've done that and put together some decent results.

PGATOUR.COM: I'll say decent. You nearly won in Phoenix and had a great showing at last week's Honda Classic. You'd better watch out or you might just qualify for the Masters.

PIERCY: Well, that would be something wouldn't it? After the start I've had, I am eyeballing the Masters as a possibility. I'm No. 99 in the world rankings right now, and if I can put together another top-five finish, I could get into the top 50 and get into the field at Augusta. Now that's the big time.

PGATOUR.COM: Being in contention deep into the weekend must have taught you more than you ever could have expected in this short time frame.

PIERCY: Well, playing in the group with Kenny Perry in Phoenix was a good experience. Kenny ended up winning the tournament, and although I was focused on my game that day, I will say that watching him go about his business was impressive and a good takeaway for me.

PGATOUR.COM: You mentioned earlier that you can be a birdie machine when you're rolling. Are you also a guy who takes a lot of risks?

PIERCY: I wouldn't say I'm a risky type player. I hit the ball long off the tee, which gives me some good chances to reach par 5s and do some things with short irons on par 4s. I've always been a player who can make a ton of birdies. Of course, I also make a lot of bogeys. To win out here, you probably can only afford three bogeys or so in an entire week. I'll do that in a round. I must clean that stuff up or I'll kill my chances at winning at this level.

PGATOUR.COM: Is there a part of your game that's not working right now?

PIERCY: I need to hit fairways, which is a bit of an issue right now. And I'm three-putting way too much. I had six or seven three-putts at The Honda Classic and ended up losing by five shots. That stuff will beat you every time.

PGATOUR.COM: What was it like growing up in a city like Las Vegas? Are you the Andre Agassi of the PGA TOUR yet?

PIERCY: Not quite. Not yet anyway. I've traveled a lot in my profession, and I can say with confidence that Vegas is by far my favorite place. I'm glad we're here. The city has boomed in population over the last 15 or so years and the Strip certainly has a life of its own. But it's like living close to the ocean. If you want it, it's always just minutes away. But you don't spend all your time hanging out there.

PGATOUR.COM: You're obviously a family man. Would you say Vegas is a good place to raise a young family?

PIERCY: We're very happy here. My two boys (Cole, 10, and Brennan, 6) are playing baseball and my wife (Sara) is one of their coaches. Since I travel so much, she's taken over the reins of coaching and does a great job with the kids. The boys come with me to practice some times, but they think golf is pretty boring right now.

PGATOUR.COM: If dad keeps on playing like this, golf might just take on a little more significance for your little guys.

PIERCY: I knew I could handle the game at this level because I've been around the various tours for a while and have watched plenty of friends adapt to the TOUR. The key is time management because with all of the demands, it can become a circus out there if you're not careful. But I think I'm handling things pretty well so far.