Franklin Corpening is a dark horse — and hometown favorite — at this week’s Colonial
Nobody would blame Franklin Corpening if he had moved on from his professional golf aspirations by now.
The 2008 TCU graduate and Fort Worth resident has spent the last dozen years trying to make it on the PGA Tour. He’s been the classic case of ‘close, but no cigar.’
A shoulder injury derailed his career in 2015 following two seasons on the Korn Ferry Tour. He felt like his game was back in 2016 when he won a mini-tour event on the All Pro Tour, but he hasn’t been able to get through Q-school to earn status again on the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGA Tour’s minor leagues.
“It’s been tough,” said Corpening, a Fort Worth Paschal product. “I feel my game has always been right there and, unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out.”
Well, maybe things will change this week. Corpening is getting his biggest break in years, receiving a sponsor’s exemption into the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club.
Corpening is royalty at the club, where his family has been members for decades. And the tournament wanted to take care of one of its own who continues to grind it out on the mini-tour circuit.
“Franklin is such a nice young man and has just maintained the best attitude chasing his dream despite all the obstacles that have come his way,” said Rob Hood, the tournament’s chairman. “We were excited to be able to help him in this way. He’s been so helpful to our tournament throughout the years, even when we weren’t able to give him an exemption.”
Added tournament director Michael Tothe: “If there is ever a year to help a guy like Franklin, this is it. He’s a great kid and a good representation of the club and Fort Worth. He’s a Horned Frog. We’re all going to be cheering for him and hope he plays well.”
Corpening has done things from being Charles Schwab’s caddie in last year’s pro-am to helping out with the tournament’s charitable events. Plus, he’s handled himself well when given the opportunity to play in the event.
Corpening was a champions’ choice in 2013 along with Jordan Spieth. Both fared well, with Spieth tying for seventh and Corpening tying for 14th. The highlight for Corpening was getting red-hot in the final round, posting an 8-under 62.
That was the low round on Sunday and Corpening earned a check for $112,000. By finishing in the top 15, Corpening earned entry into the 2014 tournament. He missed the cut in 2014, though, as well as in 2016 when he received another sponsor’s exemption.
Those have been the only PGA Tour events Corpening has played in, but that final round in 2013 continues to drive him to this day. He proved that he’s got enough game and talent to contend with the top players.
“That Sunday is what keeps me going. I’m not a spring chicken anymore,” Corpening said, smiling. “But just remembering that round, remembering how I handled myself, the way I played the golf course, things like that … I try to get back to that moment. As athletes, every player gets in the zone, and I was definitely in the zone that day.
“It gives me a sense of comfort knowing that it’s possible. I’m not going into the tournament like, ‘Oh, man, I’ve never done this before.’”
Still, pressure comes with it. As Corpening said, without status on a tour, any start such as this is coveted. Especially this year’s Colonial, as the first event back amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Corpening joked that he’s just as excited as most golf fans to see top-ranked Rory McIlroy play Fort Worth’s iconic course for the first time.
“Rory is my favorite player,” Corpening said. “I love his action. I’m going to sit on the top putting green just so I can watch him tee off or hit some balls. That’s where we all want to be — No. 1 in the world.”
For Corpening, the goal this week is to make the cut and make a run on the weekend. He’s a dark horse who has probably played Colonial more than anyone else in the tournament.
“I feel I should make the cut,” he said. “As far as re-setting goals and going about Saturday and Sunday if I make the weekend, it’s going to be aggressive. Very, very aggressive.”
