Fritsch hanging tough in fourth place
Manotick golfer fourth behind Woods at Farmers Insurance Open
Manotick golfer has another solid, extended day in California,
Brad Fritsch is like a kid in a candy shop, and if all goes well on Monday, he’ll be taking a lot of candy home with him.
Fritsch is currently fourth at the Farmers Insurance Open at La Jolla, California, following an extended day of golf on Sunday. Saturday’s third round at Torrey Pines was wiped out due to fog, but Fritsch shot a 70 Sunday and then went right back out and played the first seven holes of the fourth round.
He was one- over par through those seven holes and sits at minus-nine through 61 holes, eight shots back of Tiger Woods and two back of both Brandt Snedeker and Nick Watney.
“There were no stupid mistakes or anything like that, so I didn’t throw anything away,” Fritsch said.
“I just need to hit more fairways off the tee and that will give me more chances at birdies. There several birdie holes on the back nine that I can take advantage of (Monday).”
Fritsch has 15 birdies so far, including four in Round 3 and one so far in Round 4. He had a five-under 67 on Friday to really set the tempo.
“I played an awesome round on Friday and that’s always going to help you in terms of your positioning. I’ve just been trying to keep it in front of me this week and not do too much. I know that sounds like a hockey player, but I’m just trying to keep it simple and I play my best when I just try to go from the tee to the fairway and the fairway to the green.”
In any other tournament, Fritsch would be in a finalround pairing with Tiger Woods, since he was the closest to the leader after the third round. But because of the fog, Fritsch was in a group with Erik Compton and Steve Martino to start Round 4, and that’s who he’ll finish up with Monday.
“It was so much fun to play in front of Tiger and watch the crowds and how crazy they are for him, and sprinting to the next tee after he holes out.”
If Fritsch can somehow manage to move up the leaderboard and finish alone in second place, his pay cheque would be in excess of $400,000, meaning he would be well on his way to earning enough to secure his tour card for next season … and it’s only January.
“I’ve thought a little bit about that, but at the same time I’m just trying to take the perspective that it’s a long year and there’s a lot of tournaments and I’m chipping away at a certain amount of money that I need to keep my card,” Fritsch said.
“Whether I make $50,000 (Monday) or $200,000$400,000, I’m still chipping away at the number and giving myself a chance at it.”
Not bad for his first month on the PGA Tour.