Woody Austin has the kind of story that brings hope to us all. Having trudged the world in a host of jobs, thinking his true calling had passed him by, the 43-year-old Austin suddenly goes out and shoots an eight-under-par 62.
Once again, the former banker, bartender and drugstore supplier was a PGA Tour winner, triumphing at the Standford St Jude Championship by five shouts at TPC Southwind.
It was his third career title and first since 2004 after he totaled 267 for victory over Brian Davis, who scored 272 after closing with 66. David Toms was third on 273.
Austin, whose career has been dogged by injury, hopes his victory will give him a new lease of life on the golf course, after what he described as a poor 2007 before last week. He said on the PGA website:
“I’ve been pretty miserable all year. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking it’s all coming to an end. The game has changed so much it’s passed me by. But I certainly don’t want the dream to end.â€
Self-taught and self-described as “probably the most nervous person who has ever playedâ€, Austin certainly held his nerve on Sunday, shooting the lowest final round of the season so far and the best in the history of the 50-year-old Memphis tournament.
He also describes himself as a “scatter-brain†and he showed signs of that by breaking his putter after the 11th hole in frustration and started putting with his wedge.
However, it all came good in the end and, apart, from the $1.08 million first prize, Austin also qualified for the US Open.
