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Colonial to the Core Pavin a PGA player to watch in Fort Worth
Posted: Monday May 17, 1999 04:45 PM
By Benjamin Berman, CNN/SI The historic Southern swing continues on the PGA Tour, as it heads to Fort Worth, Texas, for the MasterCard Colonial. Not only is the Colonial known for close finishes, but also there are usually big names and former champions hanging around the leaderboard. Corey Pavin, this week's Player to Watch, fits the Colonial champ's reputation perfectly. This tournament is often won by a golfer who hasn't been heard from in a while:
That brings the Watch back to Pavin. Like Gentle Ben, Pavin is a former champion of the Colonial who is an annual contender for the title. In 1985, coming off 1984 Rookie of the Year honors, Pavin bettered a 72-hole course record by three shots. His 266 total was aided by just two bogeys the entire tournament. His 14-under total, along with his 36-hole record of 10-under, stood for eight years. In 1990, he flirted with victory again at the Colonial, but came up short to Crenshaw. Pavin finished in a three-way tie for second at 275, three off the lead.
Then in 1992 at Colonial, Lietzke hit a birdie putt on the first extra hole of a playoff to defeat Pavin. At the Colonial's 50th anniversary in 1996, Pavin entered the tournament as reigning U.S. Open champion. His 8-under total was the highest winning score at Colonial in 13 years, but nonetheless won the event for the second time. However, like past champions of the event, Pavin hasn't won a tournament in quite some time. In fact, the '96 title at this event was his last win. Heading to the Colonial Country Club, Pavin has been playing well of late. At this year's MCI Classic he finished tied for fifth -- Pavin's highest finish in 1999. And at last week's GTE Byron Nelson Classic he carded a 6-under total for a share of 18th place. Despite his lull the last few years on Tour, Pavin may have rediscovered his winning ways. Currently No. 12 in career PGA earnings at $8,568,870, Pavin is No. 13 this year in driving accuracy. Also like previous champions, Pavin is a name from the past. In all, he has 14 victories, including two titles at both the Colonial and the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. His 1984 campaign was a season to remember. He was the top newcomer on the circuit and set himself on a consecutive win streak where he won at least once in each of his first five years on Tour. However, nothing can compare to winning a major championship and the same can be said for this golfer. In 1995, he won the U.S. Open. After shooting 72-69-71, he entered the final round three strokes behind Greg Norman. His 68 on Sunday was good enough for his first and only major. But don't be confused by his rut of late, Pavin isn't going anywhere. Although the past two seasons were not up to his usual high standards, Pavin has been playing better in '99. He has two top-10 finishes and four top 25s. He also hasn't shot a round over 72 in his last two tournaments. At 39, and coming off a season where 41-year-old Mark O'Meara won two majors, Pavin's reemergence as a contender wouldn't be that abnormal. And what a weekend to start. Competing at an event where he is a two-time champion and two-time runner-up definitely makes Corey Pavin a Player to Watch.
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