Golf

When it comes down to putts, Austin sputters

Most of us mortal golfers cannot hit a ball 300 yards. We could never get iron shots to make that sweet sound heard when a pro knocks one stiff. We can't chip with precision or pull off the flop shot. But at least we can putt.

Or at least we think that's the easiest aspect of the game, the part that doesn't take the physical gifts that hitting a golf ball requires.

That is what makes the plight of Woody Austin so inconceivable. He can hit with the best in the world. But putting is another story.

Austin, 39, the Tampa native who takes out his frustrations for all the world to see, probably should have won the MCI Heritage last weekend. First, Davis Love chipped in for birdie on the 72nd hole to tie him.

Then Love, the world's third-ranked player, watched Austin miss short putts that would have won the tournament.

He had his chances, once with a 6-footer to win and another with a 3-footer. He missed both, and Love won on the fourth extra hole.

"You can't say any more than having a 3-footer to win," Austin said. "I was given my chance and I just didn't take advantage of it. ... I couldn't make anything. I hit the ball so solid."

And that has been much of the story for Austin, who grew up on the Babe Zaharias course in Tampa. In 1995, Austin was the PGA Tour rookie of the year and won the Buick Open. The next year, he finished 32nd on the money list.

But the past six years have been a struggle, to say the least.

"Golf purgatory for me," said Austin, who has failed to finish better than 100th on the money list in the past six years and had to return to the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament last fall, where he qualified with a tie for 26th.

Among other things, Austin got into trouble when a misdiagnosed eyeglass prescription caused vision problems that affected his game. And with his usual putting problems, that put more pressure on his long game.

At times, Austin talked of quitting. "If I had something else I would have really liked to do, I would have done something else."

Now Austin wears contact lenses and is hitting the ball as well as ever. He has two top-10 finishes and has earned more than $700,000 to secure his card for '04.

But a win would have been nice. "It's definitely difficult, especially for someone as hyper as I am," Austin said. "It's been eight years since I felt like I was hitting the ball this good. It's fun to be back in the game. It's nice to know that I can hit it the way I used to because I consider myself one of the best ballstrikers in the game. There isn't a shot I can't hit. I may not play very well a lot of times, but I'm not one of the best putters in the world, which was just proven."

WELCOME BACK: For the first time in two years, Hal Sutton contended in a tournament. The 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup captain tied for third at Sunday's Heritage and would have been in a playoff had he not bogeyed the 18th. It was Sutton's first top-10 finish since he won the 2001 Houston Open. It ended a streak of 50 straight starts without a top-10 finish.

"It felt good to get back in the heat of battle again," said Sutton, who turns 45 on Tuesday. "I haven't had that feeling in a long time. I was a little nervous ... But I got more comfortable with it as we went along."

WALKER'S TREATMENT: Valrico's Colleen Walker, a nine-time LPGA Tour winner who was to return this year after battling a wrist injury, was diagnosed with breast cancer and has had treatment since January. Walker, 46, plans to return to golf in 2004.

"It's been a tough few months, but things are going well for me," Walker said. "The outlook is very good. ... I feel like it's really important to tell this story, as it shows how routine mammograms and early detection can save women's lives. Thank God I kept my appointment."

LOCALLY: The Freedom for Families Tournament is Wednesday at Westchase in Tampa. The goal is to raise money for families of servicemen and women who have been killed. There will be a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start and Outback will provide dinner. Cost is $99 per person. For information, call (813) 635-9100. ... The Gulf Coast Classic is May 16-18 at Plantation Inn Resort, World Woods and Skyview at Terra Vista, with one round at each course. The 54-hole stroke-play event is $250 per player and open to all male amateurs with a USGA handicap. For information, visit www.worldwoods.com.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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