Rock-solid Verplank keeps turning in gritty performances

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Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

Scott Verplank is ranked 29th in the FedExCup standings this season thanks to three top-10 finishes.

Never underestimate Scott Verplank.

Oh, you will. Always do.

Think about it. He's not one of your go-to thoughts going into a tournament. Never really has been.

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You're surprised to see his name pop up on a leaderboard. More surprised when he pulls off a stretch like he did last weekend -- 49 putts, 36 holes. Two different putters. A 66 followed by a closing 64. Two eagles in the final round.

A spot in the Travelers Championship playoff where all eyes were on the other two players.

Such is life. Bubba Watson is an emotional young player with a game that will command attention for more than just his incredible power off the tee. Corey Pavin, the Ryder Cup captain, is the shortest hitter just about anywhere and was the oldest player in the field.

And Verplank? He's just rock solid. And tough as nails. At 45.

He made a huge putt to extend the playoff. He had the guts to sideline his trusted old school Ping with gauze tape on the grip for a new fangled "white thing" known as the TaylorMade Ghost. He went from thinking another top-10 -- he was eight shots back going into the final round -- to coming up just short of his first win since 2007.

Another week, another top-10. Three in his last four tournaments, if you're counting. A share of second at the Travelers Championship and a pair of ties for fifth at the HP Byron Nelson Championship (he won there in 2007) and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. The fourth tournament? A tie for 47th at Pebble Beach, courtesy of a closing 77.

As for this week's AT&T National? Hard to think past Tiger Woods, right? Or maybe Dustin Johnson? They're both back for their first event since the U.S. Open. And there's Jim Furyk, who was born just a couple of miles out the West Chester Pike from Aronimink.

And Verplank. He's at home on old-school courses like this Donald Ross layout which has a rich history -- just not with this generation of golfers.

In this culture of world rankings and bombs off the tee, Verplank sits just inside the top 50 at 43rd in the world, 15th on TOUR in the All-Around category an 50th in total driving. Nothing that grabs you. Just solid. Consistent.

As in five career wins. As in 91 top-10s, 202 top-25s and nearly $26 million in earnings.

As in playing so well from 2002-2007 that he made two Ryder Cup teams and two Presidents Cup teams. Curtis Strange thought so much of him in 2005 that he made him a Captain's Pick -- as a Ryder Cup rookie. His Ryder Cup record -- 4-0-1 -- is seriously impressive.

It's what he hasn't done -- and why -- that may be why he's always flying under most folks' radar.

He was the defending U.S. Amateur champ when he won the 1985 Western Open before he turned pro. A year later, he won the NCAA individual title and completed his Oklahoma State career as a four-time All-America. So many expectations. So much life about to get in the way.

Verplank isn't one for excuses, so we'll just remind you of the injuries -- the three elbow surgeries, the chronic shoulder pain and the small pump he wears to control his Type I diabetes. He's refused to let the disease, which was diagnosed when he was 9, define his career or his life. Yet it has -- at times -- interfered.

He's always had a major game, yet his best finishes have been ties for seventh at the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA and a tie for eighth at the Masters. And two years ago at Birkdale when his game seemed suited to the wind? He struggled with his emotions when his sister-in-law died an ocean away. He played that second round for her and shot 67 to leave him three shots off the lead. But he struggled on the weekend -- who wouldn't? -- and tied for 58th.

Yet that 67 has us wondering and flashing back to Verplank's 4-and-3 win over Padraig Harrington at the K Club and his emotional win at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. He grew up running around the Nelson as a kid and called Byron a friend. He won that tournament on pure guts and with a bum shoulder that suddenly stopped hurting. He came from behind to beat Luke Donald and when the final putt fell, he looked up and said thank you to Nelson, who had died the previous year.

Those kinds of weeks are why Verplank is always a thought around here. He's got a game fit for classic courses and wind. He's got a putting stroke that's pure when gets it rolling.

Had Verplank not misjudged the putt on the second hole of the playoff Sunday, you might be thinking differently right now. He was disappointed to hand it to Watson, but happy he had the chance.

Happy too that he's playing this week and heading to St. Andrews after that. He tied for 23rd at St. Andrews in 2005 -- 10 behind Tiger and five shots behind runner-up Colin Montgomerie.

So keep an eye on him -- and that new white thing he's putting with -- this week. And in two weeks, keep him in mind again. Yes, Tiger will be the favorite, hands down.

But sometimes you have to look down the line to a tough guy with solid game. And most of all, a lifetime of gutty performances.

Melanie Hauser is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. Her views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.