Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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July 29, 2010

Petterrson hopes momentum holds

By JIM WORKMAN Staff reports

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — Carl Petterrson won the 2010 Canadian Open golf tournament at St. Georges Golf and Country Club in Toronto last Sunday.

It was his fourth career win on the PGA TOUR.

Not that it makes for an advantage this week at The Greenbrier Classic.

But it could.

“Well, my other wins - my first win I played great the next week,” Petterrson said. “I actually had a chance to win. I finished second at the Viking Classic. And then some of my other wins I've missed the cut the week after.

“It can go either way,” he added. “It's a difficult week to play after a win. Sometimes the game is still there and sometimes it totally left you. I don't know what's going to happen this week.”

Petterrson will begin his pursuit of a fifth victory today at The Greenbrier Classic.

He shot a round of 60 last week in Toronto. Petterrson thinks a similar round is possible this week - for someone.

A reporter asked what score it would take to win.

“Well, it will be in the 20s I think for sure,” he said. “I played the course Monday. It's a good course. Just a hair short, but that's fine. It's just a little different than what we normally play. I kind of liked it. I obviously think the scoring will be low.

“You're going to see some low scores. That's fine. People get too worried about us shooting low. I don't know why.”

Coming off a win will certainly help with confidence, Petterrson admitted.

“It's nice to have a laid back week,” he said. “The momentum is great. But in this game, I know it can change from day to day, never mind week to week.

“I expect to play well, but, you know, it's a new tournament. Last week is over and done. I'll get back to work now.”

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Chances are, the field for The Greenbrier Classic will be even stronger next year.

At least the players think so.

“Next year the field will be stronger,” suggested Jim Furyk. “First impressions are huge. Guys that aren't here are going to ask questions. Their ears are going to be open. They're going to hear the opinions of the players that are here this year.

“Some will watch on TV,” Furyk added. “Some will read what's written about this place. The first impressions are very key. If guys walk away from an event for the first year and aren't happy, that tends to stunt that event for quite a while.

But you know what? You walk in that first year and there's a 'Wow' factor and guys come away raving - guys remember that.”

So what's Furyk's early verdict on The Greenbrier Classic?

“It's a beautiful place,” he said. “Everyone is going to rave about the hotel and the activities and the family atmosphere. I can't imagine people not raving about the golf course.

“I really hope the reviews are good and that this event only keeps growing and gets better,” he continued. “I think it got a really unique spot on the schedule. I think it sits in a very nice spot.”

Johnson Wagner also gave The Greenbrier his stamp of approval.

“I think it's a great place for families, for players to bring their wife and kids” he said. “It's a great golf course and a great hotel. A lot of guys were worried about 'Where are we going to go? What is there to do?' But you look at the website for The Greenbrier and there is a ton of stuff to do. You can shoot skeet, ride horses, go off-road driving. I just think it sells itself.

“It's such a wonderful, special resort,” Wagner added. “I can't think of any place in the country or the world like it. I feel like I'm selling The Greenbrier, but I truly love this place.”

—E-mail: jworkman@

register-herald.com

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