Graham DeLaet played his best round of the 2012 season in the Professional Golf Association Tour, by tying fourth at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The former Weyburn golfer tied fourth at the event, earning $281,600.
Graham DeLaet played his best round of the 2012 season in the Professional Golf Association Tour, by tying fourth at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
The former Weyburn golfer tied fourth at the event, earning $281,600. This payday doubled his earnings to $485,864 and has him placed 80th as a money leader for the PGA Tour.
Marie Grohn, former junior golf coach for DeLaet, thought that the win was nice to see. "I thought he did great. His chipping and putting went well, with a few missed putts during the last round. He really concentrates on his sport and plays really well."
Grohn added that DeLaet competed with some top PGA golfers at the Zurich Classic. There was one moment, after the third round, that DeLaet was placed second on the leaderboard, and was only a few shots behind the leader of the day.
"I think everyone in Weyburn wanted to watch Graham during the weekend, but the TV didn't show him enough," said Michael Hoffman, chair of the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation charity golf tournament.
DeLaet's showing at the Zurich Classic "was by far his most consistent week, so that's a good thing," said Hoffman. "He usually has a lot of birdies, but also has bogeys and double bogeys. This week he only had five bogeys all weekend."
DeLaet started out the tournament by shooting a 68, four-under-par. He shot a bogey on hole one after starting on the front nine, but then evened out quickly by shooting a birdie on hole two. Two more birdies were shot on hole seven and nine. On the back nine, DeLaet shot a bogey on hole 10, and then birdies on holes 13, 16 and 18.
Starting on the back nine for round two, DeLaet shot a birdie on hole 10, then an eagle on hole 11 and a bogey on hole 12. He finished the back nine with a birdie on hole 18, and during his front nine shot birdies on holes four and seven. For round two, DeLaet shot a 67, five-under-par.
His best round of the tournament was the third, when DeLaet shot a 66, six-under-par. Starting on the front nine, Graham shot birdies on hole two, seven and nine. He quickly added another birdie on hole 10, shot his first bogey of the round on hole 12, and then notched three more birdies on hole 13, 15 and 16.
DeLaet was close to a birdie on the par-five 18th hole during the third round, but shot par after a chip shot on the green.
In his final round of the tournament, DeLaet stayed mostly on par in the front nine, except for a bogey on hole four. He birdied on hole 10 and hole 18, to score 71, one-under-par.
Earlier in the season, Grohn had the opportunity to watch Graham play at the Sony Open, his first tournament on the PGA Tour after recovering from surgery in 2011. "He was leading after the first round, and it was a good start for his tournament back," said Grohn.
"I love going to the PGA events," said Grohn. "The crowds cheer for anyone who makes a good shot and support those who aren't doing good. It is a happy place, they really respect the rules of the golf course."
Grohn said that Graham stays really focused while on the course and that he has gained his own fans that cheer for him during events. "He is so appreciative of all the people who follow him and who cheer him on. He gets along with the other guys on the course and respects those ahead of him. He is such a good kid and knows his manners."
DeLaet is playing on a medical exemption after back surgery on Jan. 3, 2011. He played only two tournaments last year and started this season needing to make $657,694 in 26 tournaments to be exempt next year.
DeLaet has played 12 tournaments this year, making the cut in eight. He needs to win $171,830 in 14 more tournaments.
Grimes Sales and Service secured the title sponsorship of the second annual Graham DeLaet charity golf tournament for the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation. They will be contributing a pumping unit worth over $69,000 towards the live auction of the tournament.
"We definitely have had a faster response for sponsorship than last year," said Hoffman. "To date we have secured 25 sponsors for the day and will have a number of fantastic items lined up for the auction."
The Grimes Sales and Service Co. Ltd. presents the Graham DeLaet Charity Golf Tournament will take place on Tuesday, July 10 at the Weyburn Golf Course. Following the tournament will be a banquet, live auction and silent auction.
More information on the golf tournament and the foundation can be found on the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation website at www.wdhf.ca.
