Oct 16, 2006 - Watney gains fame beyond local links

MADERA — Nick Watney always has been the local hero at the Save Mart Shootout.

This year, in the midst of a $1 million season on the PGA Tour, he was one of the stars.

That's what it looked like at Riverbend Golf Club on Monday, as a camera crew followed Watney during the Save Mart Shootout.

The crew was filming a documentary about the former Fresno State All-American for the Lexus auto corporation, to be sent to its dealers worldwide. Lexus is one of Watney's sponsors.

Director David Hesson said he talked Monday with The Golf Channel about that network possibly airing the documentary.

Hesson was taken with Watney's easygoing demeanor.

"I've known him for 48 hours and he's already my best buddy," Hesson said.

In Peter Jacobsen's morning clinic, Watney did his best to keep up his wholesome image.

Jacobsen asked Watney if he was going out Monday night.

"No, I'm not," Watney replied. "I've got laundry to do."

Quipped Jacobsen: "You've had a million dollar year. You could probably send it out."

Watney plays this week at the Funai Classic in Kissimmee, Fla.

His left middle finger, injured in a pickup football game a month ago, is still swollen. He said the injury was serious enough that he had it X-rayed to determine it was not broken

It must not have been too debilitating. Watney placed in the top 10 in his next two PGA tournaments.

Eagles galore

How, exactly, does one win the Save Mart Shootout? Try recording six eagles.

That's what the winning team did Monday, going from 10 under at the turn to finish at 21 under for a four-stroke advantage.

The team was led by PGA pro Arron Oberholser and LPGA pro Angie Rizzo. Amateurs were Wayne Kerwin, Dennis McKinley and Mark Cheng.

Ouch, that hurt

Oberholser's win at Pebble Beach in February came two years after losing that tournament on the final day to Vijay Singh. They had started the final round tied, but Oberholser slipped to a tie for fourth.

The former San Jose State golfer said players can learn from painful moments.

"Sometimes things really hurt at first, but then you say, 'Well, I didn't like the outcome, but I feel pretty good about it overall.' "

Like blowing the AT&T in 2004?

"No. That one didn't feel good at all."

Miller's musings

Former U.S. Open champion Johnny Miller, now a commentator for professional golf telecasts, kept the crowd laughing during the morning clinic.

A dig at Tiger Woods. "Tiger's so tight he squeaks when he walks. He's got that big yacht. Who's going to pay for the fuel?"

Miller quoting Lee Trevino on the benefit of low shots: "If you hit it low, it doesn't have enough time to get off line."

Miller posed for a photo with junior golf promoter Len Ross, who said Miller played in his Fresno City Junior tournament numerous times as a youth. The reporter can be reachedat krobison@fresnobee.com or(559) 441-6279.