PGN Features
PGN FEATURE: One Year After Big Rally, Wright Returns to Firestone
Like millions of others, Michael Wright was glued to the Sunday coverage of the U.S. Open with an absolute rooting interest, his fellow Australian, 44-year-old Adam Scott.
“It felt like he was helping out the old boys somewhat,” Wright chuckled. “I just was really rooting for him because I thought if he could get it over the line, there’s hope for all of us.”
With Thursday beginning the PGA Tour Champions third major on the schedule, the Kaulig Companies Championship, Wright could not help when prompted to recall all of the positive memories from a Saturday in July at Firestone Country Club in which he shot a third-round 63, placing him in the penultimate group a day later.
Wright was trying to find his footing on tour, after months earlier holing out at Q-School to earn his card.
That 63 is tied for his lowest round with the PGA Tour Champions, matching the feat three consecutive rounds at the American Family Insurance Champion.
“It gave me the confidence that I can go low out on this tour,” recalled Wright. “I had a stretch there of 10 holes where I was 8-under and I blacked out. I just remember I didn’t know where I was. I was just going. I wish I could bottle it and somehow figure out the recipe of how you do that because it was one of those rounds you dream about. It set me up the rest of the year. I’m hoping to bring some of that form and game to the table this week and if I do that it will set me up again this year as well.”
Another thing to note was that Wright had his son Noah, then 18, on the bag the entire week. It was their third event together.
The plan was that come September, Noah would return and caddie for the rest of the season, which spanned seven starts.
Now father and son continue to travel across the tour together, though the latter is quick to note that most of Michael’s success is with Noah on the bag, something which clearly gives both a sense of pride.
“It was almost natural, I asked if he wanted to keep going and do it again and he was all for it,” Wright explained. “I think the success that we had last year really helped. If it had not been going as well, he might have had to think more about it. I’ve had limited starts, seven so far, but moving forward I should get into quite a few more. Somewhere between 15-20 events which is a reasonably full schedule.”
Looking back on it, Wright changed a few caddies through the middle of the last season and as soon as Noah got on the bag, things quieted down. It is Wright’s belief that with other caddies perhaps he tried a little hard and forced it. With Noah, Wright says, it is a bit more natural where he can go out and play and there is less to think about.
This season, Wright has three top 10 results in his seven starts this season. Those placements are eighth in the Regions Tradition — a major on tour — and in each of his past two events, which have boosted Wright to 35th in the Charles Schwab Cup points list.
“I think I’ve been more settled over here, this time last year I was very unsettled,” believes Wright. “It was obviously a new country, a new environment, new tour. Having that full year under my belt now, I am a lot more relaxed on the golf course, more calm standing over the ball. That bodes well for shooting good scores. If you have that inner calmness, any golfer will say you are in a hell of a lot better position than not.”
Now Wright is looking forward to his return to Firestone, a course which very much suits his eye. Wright appreciates the left-to-right preference off the tee and with it being a strong golf course, it narrows his focus a bit more.
“It separates the men from the boys, courses like that. If you look at the history of scoring at Firestone, they never go low and keep going low,” he matter of factly states. “Obviously I had a good third round last year, but I ended up finishing at 3 under for the week. It’s very difficult to maintain that quality. If you do, you’ll end up right near the trophy on Sunday.”
As Wright chases his first win on the PGA Tour Champions, there is a clear sense of pride at how far he has come on his journey, while also clearly believing he has the game to get to that next step.
When he allowed himself to advise last year’s Michael Wright on just how to move forward, the response was almost instant.
“Calm down, be patient, it will come,” focused Wright. “Rather than wanting it too fast, too quick, let it come to me rather than forcing it.”
KAULIG COMPANIES CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD
THEY SAID IT
“I mean, that was a great week last year. Obviously, most of the family. Samantha wasn’t here, but Ben and Liezl, just the way it all panned out for us. Very fortunate, very happy to win last year. First time in 32 years (at Firestone). It’s always good to be back. The golf course, unbelievable shape again. I’ve been here since Sunday evening, so I played it Monday a bit and yesterday a little bit. The course is in great shape like always.” – Defending champion Ernie Els
“It’s always nice to come back to a venue you played back in the day to see how things have changed. As it’s turned out, nothing’s changed. The golf course is just the exact same. We’re playing the same tees. Obviously less rough this week, which makes a difference to the course. It feels a little shorter than it did back in the day.” – Padraig Harrington, who is making his first start in the event since joining the PGA Tour Champions
