Golf

Tampa's Branshaw ties course record

A pro since 1991, the Avila regular shoots 7 -under 64. He says it should've been better.

By RODNEY PAGE
Published October 28, 2006

PALM HARBOR - The leaderboard is dotted with familiar names: previous champion K.J. Choi, Ernie Els, Mark Calcavecchia, Stewart Cink.

Then there is David Branshaw.

Branshaw is a 37-year-old Tampa resident who plays at Avila Golf and Country Club when he's not grinding out a career in golf. He has been a pro since 1991, but this is only his second full season on the PGA Tour. In 2004, he made only 11 of 30 cuts and lost his card.

After a 2005 on the Nationwide Tour in which he won once and had four top-10 finishes, Branshaw qualified for the PGA Tour. Friday, he proved he belongs.

He tied a Copperhead course tournament record with 7-under 64 to vault from a tie for 87th to a tie for sixth at 5 under. And he said it could've been a lot better.

"I had 16 really good chances at birdie," he said. "It doesn't feel like a 7 under because I thought I could've played better. It didn't feel like all the putts were going in. It didn't feel special. It wasn't magical."

Whatever it was, it takes some stress off Branshaw. He is 119th on the money list with $693,705. The top 125 earn an exemption for 2007.

"This is kind of what I thought it would be this year," Branshaw said. "The goal is to get a little better, and I've done that. I was sweating it out there for a while because I wasn't that far ahead of the 125 cutoff."

Branshaw failed to secure a spot in the Chrysler Championship field and wasn't sure if he would play. But when three players withdrew, he got the call.

"It almost didn't happen," he said. "I didn't have a spot, and I had to wait for a few guys to withdraw. I didn't find out until Tuesday at about 11 a.m."

He played Copperhead for the first time this week. Friday, he birdied the first two holes and No. 9, then tore up the back nine with birdies on Nos. 10, 11, 13 and 14. He bogeyed 15, but birdied 18.

Branshaw shot 64 in the second round of the B.C. Open and ended up tied for fourth.

"We play against each other a lot," said playing partner Ryuji Imada, who attended Chamberlain High School. "We're about even. He hit a lot of great shots today. If he can keep his putter hot, he can do some good things."

Branshaw has lived in Tampa for 15 years. He said he lives near downtown and only plays at Avila, a gated community in North Tampa. A few more years like this and he might be able to shorten his commute.

"Got to make a little more money to live out there," he said.

Rodney Page can be reached at 727 893-8123 or page@sptimes.com

[Last modified October 28, 2006, 02:29:05]