Coast’s Sim targets new golf direction
MICHAEL Sim is now a dadto-be with a fresh outlook that he can get by without his obsession to play again full-time in the US while plotting a new golf direction from the Gold Coast.
The clarity seems to be working wonders because the slender pro produced a fine 69 in the wind yesterday to be happily nestled in the top 10 at the Fiji International after the opening round at stunning Natadola Bay.
Wife Simone was caddying for Sim in this patch of paradise two years ago but has wisely bypassed the course’s steep inclines to stay at home at Robina before their baby is due in February.
Winning three events on the secondary tour in the US in 2009 propelled Sim into a life as an elite PGA Tour pro until 2011 but the years ever since have been a strange limbo in terms of his quest to get back.
Impending fatherhood, a dose of reality and broadening his perspective on golf have Sim, 32, in a good place mentally to forge ahead.
“We have the baby due in February so I can’t see myself playing in the US next year and I like the idea of Japan qualifying school to get on a tour with a good few Aussies closer to home,” Sim said.
“Every player wants to play the PGA Tour and maybe that’s still there down the track.”
Sim funded a hit-and-run trip to the US this year for another crack on the Web.Com Tour, got into two events with strong Monday qualifying rounds and shot a superb nineunder 62 when playing all four rounds in Kansas.
“There’s a nice confidence there knowing you can still do it after being out of the US system for five years,” Sim said.
His moves off the course in the US were as significant.
He sold the BMW M5 he had there for years awaiting a full-time return that never came and dealt with a storage room, clubs and clothes from a life on hold.
Yesterday, he produced one 66: 67:
of the saves of the day after tugging his drive on the 10th into deep rough and being forced to take a drop. He pulled out his two iron, drilled it 195m low into a strong wind, nestled it on the green and holed a 4.5m putt for par.
“There was a double-bogey there if I didn’t get it right so it was an unbelievable par and the reason I signed for a 69,” Sim said.
Victorian Daniel Valente (67) revelled as top Aussie in Fiji behind Kiwi leader Daniel Pearce (66).
It’s full credit to Valente, the last man into the field who flew on spec to Fiji on Monday for $1000 with no guaranteed spot just the hope that he’d squeeze in as an alternate.
“Last Saturday night I was fourth alternate, figured I wouldn’t get in and cancelled a flight I had on hold,” Valente admitted after shooting seven birdies.
“I’m glad I took the chance and a few guys dropped out. I would have been having a holiday in Fiji otherwise.”
He’s no stranger to switched flights because the avid Western Bulldogs fan rescheduled a flight to a tournament in Scotland last year to be at the MCG to watch his beloved AFL club’s fairytale grand final: “It would have been criminal to miss that.”
South Australia’s Peter Cooke holed a gap wedge for a hole-in-one on the 132m 15th for his fourth ace in competition play.
“It’s the best prize I’ve got but I’ll save it until Sunday when hopefully I’ve got more to celebrate,” the beaming Cooke said with a bottle of Tattinger French champagne in his clutches after a 71.