Golf

Petrovic calmly puts away No. 1

By BOB PUTNAM
Published May 3, 2005

Many players might have self-destructed in Tim Petrovic's predicament on the final regulation hole of the Zurich Classic in Avondale, La., on Sunday.

Petrovic, who lives at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, was left with an uphill 20-foot putt for birdie to force a playoff.

His putting stroke had deserted him this season. Trying to find a cure, Petrovic spent last week on the greens at Lake Jovita with head professional Chris Brandt.

"It wasn't anything serious," Brandt said. "We were pretty much having fun. But Tim was doing well. He was working with a new putter, and it seemed to be paying off. He was draining a lot of shots.

"Still, when he was standing there for that long birdie putt, I was a little nervous for him."

Petrovic, though, always has had the ability to remain serene in the face of adversity.

Instead of rushing his long putt, he walked around the green and methodically studied the break and the speed and then slowly went through his pre-shot routine.

Petrovic, 38, drained that putt, then hit a 4-foot par putt on the first hole of a playoff to get his first PGA tour victory.

"I was running errands Sunday when a friend called and told me Tim had a chance to win," Brandt said. "I went home and watched the final three holes, and the playoff. You can't help but root for a guy like him."

The gallery cheering Petrovic extended well beyond the course. Golf pros from Fox Hollow in New Port Richey and Lake Jovita were glued to the television as they watched someone old enough to feel the pain of passing time, lost chances and buried dreams.

After leading Hartford to the NCAA finals four times, Petrovic moved to Tampa in 1992 and played on minitours. But the big paychecks didn't come right away. To pay bills, Petrovic worked as a bartender, a night manager for a Pizza Hut and a counselor at a day-care center. His wife, Julie, worked as a waitress at Pizza Hut and sold Avon products.

After years of grinding, Petrovic finally made it in 2001 when he earned a U.S. Open spot by claiming medalist honors at a section qualifier.

"I was so glad to finally see Tim break through and win," said Royce Warren, an assistant professional at Timber Greens in New Port Richey. "He's certainly paid his dues."

After Sunday's win, Petrovic listened to a jazz band and received Mardi Gras beads.

The celebration will continue when Petrovic arrives back home.

"We're planning to mark the accomplishment in some way," Brandt said. "You don't know exactly when that will be, given his schedule. But it's something big for all of us."

[Last modified May 3, 2005, 01:18:22]