David Lynn remains undecided if he will take up the option of again competing full time in 2014 on the PGA Tour.
It was twelve months ago when Lynn found himself presented with PGA Tour member status after finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy in the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
Lynn was competing in his first-ever US-based Major and while McIlroy won by a comfortable eight shots, Lynn’s prize cheque of $865,000 in just one event was good enough to present him full membership for 2013.
The Stoke-on-Trent golfer embraced with both arms the opportunity and up to and including yesterday’s (SUN) concluding WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio he had contested 17 PGA Tour money counting events and two more than the mandatory 15 to retain full membership for the following season.
David Lynn, with the famed Firestone golf ball in the background, is undecided if he will compete in the States in 2014. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Undoubtedly, his best finish was runner-up in May’s Quail Hollow Championship and a cheque for $723,600.
Up to teeing-up last week in Akron Lynn, who turns 40 in October, has banked $1,322,578 in PGA Tour earnings alone.
However his wife is expecting a baby in December and while she has no qualms in crossing ‘The Pond’ Lynn remains undecided if he will compete on golf’s most lucrative stage for a second year in succession.
“I still haven’t decided and it’s obviously tempting to play a full season over here in the States again next year but I don’t know,” he said.
“We’ll play it by ear. I’ve got until the end of the year to make my mind up so there’s still a few months.
“But then if I did decide to play over here again next year I wouldn’t buy or rent a house as my wife said she would be fairly happy to come out to the States with me when I’m playing and just go week to week.
”However if you’re a home bird like I am then you’re a home bird. That’s the way I’ve always been. Of course, the temptation is strong to play full-time here after what I’ve done this year, but if you’re doing well it’s nice to be out here, but if you get ona bad run, its nice to go home, dust yourself down.”
This week marks the first anniversary of Lynn’s remarkable second place finish in the PGA Championship.
For a player who never entered Open Championship qualifying at Sunningdale or he refused to tee-up at Walton Heath and try and qualify for the US Open, Lynn made up for a whole lot of lost ground last August on the Atlantic Ocean shoreline in South Carolina.
His only other Major Championship appearance was in the 2003 Open at Royal St. George’s.
“The funny thing I was gardening the week before the USPGA last year,” he said.
“So it was a case of getting the right break at the right time and that’s what happened to catapult me into the top 50 and with it came the exemption to play out here.
“I’ve put in a few decent performances this year to maintain my ranking [he’s 50th in the world rankings].
“Last year I was just inside the top 100 going into the PGA Championship and it was a case of first things first.
“I wanted to make the weekend round and then obviously you can give it a rip from there. I was lying mid-30s after the first two days and gave it a good rip from there.
“Then after finishing second it was a bit of a whirlwind few days.”
There’s not just the $1m first prize purse every week on the PGA Tour that is alluring but there’s plenty of other perks that make it attractive to be a member of the Tour.
“You get straight in on gold with United Airlines, and there is deals with Avis, CDW, a tech compnay, give you a few grand credit,” said Lynn.
“There is two pension schemes, as well. There’s a Fedex run one and another which you have to have been out here for five years.”
And also now that Lynn has settled into life on the PGA Tour he’s got a very different attitude to the American golf fans.
Of course, there will always be the odd individual singing out ‘You’re the man!’ or ‘In the hole’ but other than that this rangy Englishman has settled well into life on the PGA Tour.
“I’ve really enjoyed all the new courses, seeing new places and stuff like that,” he said.
“I’ve had the chance to drive between a few tournaments as well, and I’m going to drive to Rochester from here.
“So it’s quite nice when you haven’t been somewhere and you can see it all on a road trip.
“I also didn’t think the guys playing out here would be as receptive as they are. I’ve also been surprised how nice the American people are and how positive they are as a nation. It’s been a breath of fresh air really.
“Every event feels like a big event on the PGA Tour so when you do actually turn up at the WGCs or the majors, when you’ve played at Sawgrass or Phoenix, you are quite well prepared for it.
“So I just noticed how everyone is always so positive over here. Wherever you go they can’t do enough for you. I know we take the mickey in England about them saying all the time “have a nice day’. But when you’re over here a while you realise it’s quite genuine; everyone’s like that.”
And Lynn will have an extra special reason to get to Oak Hill this week and the year’s final Major Championship as it was Oak Hill in 1995 when his good friend David Gilford competed in the Ryder Cup.
Gilford defeated American Brad Faxon in his Singles encounter to help the European Team to a one point victory and their first since 1987.
“I remember the Ryder Cup in 1995 as I had a bit of interest as my pal David Gilford who played in the European team that year,” said Lynn.
“He had a good time there. My abiding memory was ‘Gilly’s’ chip and run at the last – with his putter. I’ll go and have a look at that when I get there.”
