Don Pooley hopes to make up for lost time.
After missing several high-profile tournaments because of injuries, Pooley hopes to make a triumphant return by this week at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship.
“I am excited about the way I am playing,” Pooley, 56, said. “Because of my injury, I had to miss the best part of the tour, three majors. It?s taken awhile to get that feeling good again and I?m starting to hit the ball better and putt better.”
Pooley, who won the 2002 U.S. Senior Open, suffered a herniated disk in his neck that resulted in back problems, forcing him to take about 90 days off during the summer. He withdrew from the Senior PGA Championship ? the tour?s first major on May 27 ? after firing an opening round 82. He didn?t return until July 15 at the Dick?s Sporting Goods Open, where he placed 26th at 3-under par.
But coming into the Constellation Energy Players Championship, Pooley is playing his best golf of the season, notching two, top-10 finishes in September. His best finish of the year was at The Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach on Sept. 2, where Pooley placed fourth at 8-under par ? six shots behind champion Gil Morgan.
And he knows he will have to be at his best this weekend.
“I don?t think I prepare any differently,” Pooley said. “I try to make sure my game is in good shape and I?m not just over-tired. But with a week off before [going to BCC], I will be rested and ready to go. I like the fact that I have had good runs at the tournaments in the past few weeks.”
At 36th on the money list with more than $456,000 this year, Pooley hasn?t done bad for himself. He has made the cut in 18 of 19 events ? only missing the PGA Championship cut due to his neck injury ? and is 14th in total driving rankings.
And when it comes time to get out that driver for the first time on Thursday, no one will be happier than Pooley.
“Just being able to play again after being out for so long is a blessing,” Pooley said. “I?m thankful for it.”
