Former TCU star confident game is PGA ready heading into Dean & DeLuca Invitational
Proclaiming that his game is PGA Tour-ready, former Fort Worth Paschal High School and TCU player Franklin Corpening is eager to compete in the Dean & DeLuca Invitational.
“I think [his game]it’s better than it’s been the last three or four years,” said Corpening, who on Saturday won the Adams Tour’s Gateway Buick GMC Classic in Garland. “I’m coming off my first win ever. It took a long time, but I definitely have more confidence this year than in past years.”
Corpening is playing at Colonial Country Club this week on a sponsor’s exemption. He got in the same way in 2013, finishing in a tie for 14th. He missed the cut in 2014.
My dreams were answered in 2013 getting in. ... They extended me this invitation and I couldn’t be happier and more thankful to be back.”
Former TCU star Franklin Corpening on receiving a sponsor’s exemption into this week’s tournament
“It’s another dream come true,” said Corpening, a TCU Horned Frog from 2004-08. “My dreams were answered in 2013 getting in, and I’ve had a rough road, I got hurt. They extended me this invitation and I couldn’t be happier and more thankful to be back.”
Biggest difference between the Adams and PGA Tours?
“Basically these guys are just really good, and they hit it straight and they putt it really good,” he said. “It’s the standard stuff. I’m hitting it really straight, more like those guys.”
Zero to Zurich
Fort Worth resident Brian Stuard had made three cuts and missed three cuts on his current PGA Tour season, then he won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on May 1.
“A few more people recognize me maybe, but not too much,” he said. “For a couple of weeks it was a whirlwind I guess, but it’s settled back down and I’m able to get back to just being me and being able to play some golf.”
Stuard, from Michigan, said he moved to Eagle Mountain Lake in 2014. He is playing in his third invitational at Colonial, but said his new status of being a Tour champion has yet to land him a better parking space.
“No, not yet,” Stuard said with a chuckle. “This is one of my favorite places to come to, and this is one of my favorite courses. I’m just looking forward to the week.”
Special partners
When Tour player Lucas Glover signed up for Monday’s Hogan Pro-Am, he did not know his group would include three Wounded Warriors whothat served in Afghanistan.
“I just signed up and ended up with them. I’m glad I did, it was fun,” Glover said. “We chatted and I had a nice time, and I’m thankful for what they have done for all of us.”
U.S. Army Spec. (retired) Sergio Gonzalez, an infantry soldier, said he was glad Glover was on his team.
“He’s a real nice guy and he made it look so easy. He gave some good advice,” said Gonzalez, whose group started on the 10th hole that features a large pond right off the tee. at the water-hazard 10th tee said. “First shot was pretty nervous, but I got it over the water.”
Feeling good
Chad Campbell hasn’t won a PGA event since 2007, and turns 42 later this month. But the Colleyville resident is feeling good about where his game is at this point in his career.
Campbell is coming off a tie for 12th at the AT&T Byron Nelson last week, and is looking for an even better showing this week.
“This is one of my favorite courses that we play all year,” Campbell said on Monday following a pro-am round. “The course is in fantastic shape, too, maybe the best shape I’ve ever seen it in.”
Obviously that’s why I’m still playing. I want to get back to having a chance to win tournaments and then see what happens once you get there.
Colleyville resident Chad Campbell
“It’s really full, the fairways are perfect, greens are rolling nice and a little bit of four out there – just enough to keep it interesting with the fliers.”
Campbell has resurrected his career lately these past couple of years after he seemingly had lost a step. He struggled in 2013 and 2014, making about $500,000 in each season, before getting back to the $1 million mark last year.
Campbell is on pace to reach the $1 million mark again this year, already posting a couple top-10s, but he is eyeing more. He’d love to taste victory again, something he hasn’t done in almost a decade.
“Obviously that’s why I’m still playing,” he said. “I want to get back to having a chance to win tournaments and then see what happens once you get there.”
Campbell would love for it to happen in his adopted hometown. He missed the cut last year, but was runner-up here in 2004.has a runner-up finish on his résumé here back in 2004.
Dean & DeLuca Invitational
Through Sunday (Tournament rounds Thursday-Sunday)
at Colonial Country Club (7,204 yards, par 70)
This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 9:41 PM with the headline "Former TCU star confident game is PGA ready heading into Dean & DeLuca Invitational."