Presnell excited to be factor in first TOUR event
By John Dell, Nationwide Tour Insider
Alistair Presnell wasn't going to be intimidated by his surroundings.
In fact, Presnell fit right in as he played in his first PGA TOUR event, the World Golf Championships-CA Championship, at TPC Blue Monster at Doral last week
Presnell, who was taking a break from the Nationwide Tour, closed with a 64 on Sunday to tie for sixth. Also at 10 under? Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, Alvaro Quiros of Spain, Bill Haas and the No. 5 player in the world, Paul Casey.
The company was simiilarly impressive everywhere he went. When Presnell arrived at Doral early in the week he found himself on the driving range with Ernie Els, the eventual winner, and Phil Mickelson, the defending champ.
"It was pretty unbelievable," the 30-year-old said.
Even Presnell, who got to play in the World Golf Championships event because he finished second on last year's Australasian Tour Order of Merit, was hounded by autograph seekers after he finished practicing.
"I think most of them were waiting for Phil or Ernie to finish, and I looked like a player so they wanted my autograph," Presnell said with a laugh. "I don't think they really knew who I was by I was happy to sign a few."
Presnell made $214,300 on Sunday, the largest paycheck of his career. He shot 72-70-72, then vaulted up the leaderboard with a final-round 64 that tied Ian Poulter for the low round of the day -- and the tournament.
"I hit the ball very well all week," he said. "I just kind of got locked in and it was a good feeling to perform like that on such a big stage. I saw a lot of the guys I've watched on TV for so many years playing so I had to get used to that and just remember why I was there."
Presnell has come a long way since he used to work as an air conditioner mechanic. He attended a trade school in Australia, and that was his occupation before he turned pro in 2004.
Presnell very nearly went back to that job when he was struggling last year, too.
He took a chance and competed in the Moonah Classic in Australia, though. As it turned out he won the event and his place on the Nationwide Tour was secure so he never had to go back to working on air conditioners for a living.
"I'd much rather spend my time in fairways then sitting on rooftops trying to fix air conditioners," Presnell said by phone on Monday as he waited for a plane that would take him back to Australia for a month's break.
Presnell said he's not sure how close he was to returning to his former job. But he was definitely considering the possibility because he didn't want to continue to chase the golfing dream forever with no success.
"You see some guys that kind of keep going and keep chasing it," Presnell said. "I didn't want to be one of those guys."
With some money in the bank after finishing 28th last season on the Nationwide Tour -- and Sunday's big payday, Presnell is secure about his future.
He was 25th on the money list and in good position to earn his PGA TOUR card as last season drew to a close. But he got knocked down three spots after the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island.
Presnell will return to the U.S. to play in the Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae in California in mid-April. The break comes at a good time, though, since he has a nagging wrist injury.
Presnell will compete on the Nationwide Tour the rest of the season. He made the cut in the first four events and stands 31st on the money list. He credits the Tour with helping him grow as a golfer.
"They aren't just giving away the trophies out there on the Nationwide," he said. "You have to really compete. All the guys can really play and it's a great bunch of guys so it's very competitive."
Indeed. A day after Presnell made his splash in Miami, PGA TOUR rookie Derek Lamely, who finished fourth on the Nationwide Tour money list last season, won the rain-delayed Puerto Rico Open with a final-round 66.
Presnell, who has one top-25 so far this season on the Nationwide Tour, says that the experience he gained in Miami will help him down the road.
"I'm going to concentrate on the Nationwide Tour for the rest of the season and the goal is to be consistent out there," Presnell said.
Despite feeling a little out of place in his first PGA TOUR event, there were several of his countrymen who made him feel more at ease.
"I hung around Marc Leishman a lot and Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy were also there so they all made me feel pretty comfortable," Presnell said. "To be able to get in from the Order of Merit in Australia last year was great, and to play well was an even better....
"It was a great experience."
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