Fred Funk is making the Champions Tour wait for its new frontrunner. The Takoma Park native has a few more putts left in the PGA Tour before crossing over to the senior circuit. With a smart 3-under 67 Thursday in the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club, Funk continues to play the best golf of his career at the most unlikely time.
“Since I turned 45 or 46, I’ve been playing the best,” Funk said. “I know when I play well enough that it’s good enough to play real good out here, enough to win.”
While Tiger Woods kept kissing cups, Funk was among the early cavalry charge to the top before being surpassed by day’s end. An eagle on No. 12 prompted a four-under run over the final seven holes. Not bad for someone more familiar with two nearby Bethesda courses than the club of presidents.
“They’d check my ID and kick me out at the gate growing up here,” Funk joked.
Funk was usually the big name when the PGA came to nearby Avenal despite never winning. Given five of the world’s top six golfers entered the Tiger Tour stop, Funk was a big underdog. “Funk’s Punks” still followed his morning threesome, but few expected the old man to take a turn atop the leaderboard.
Then again, Funk was always a late bloomer. The former University of Maryland coach didn’t go on tour until age 32, a decade later than many competitors. Maybe Funk’s getting those years back while contemporaries look for easier pickings on the seniors tour.
“To me, if you’re healthy and you’re focused and you’re motivated, there’s no stopping you,” he said.
Funk spent Wednesday at the White House watching fireworks. Staving off this talented field over the next three days would make some noise in the sport.
“People can kind of live vicariously through me with their golf,” he said. “They feel if I can do it, they have a chance of doing it.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
