While nothing like the fraternity of former presidents, the PGA Tour is an exclusive club. Countless talented players ply their trade on lesser tours the world over wishing one day to make a permanent home in golf’s version of the West Wing: PGA Tour exempt status. From time to time one of them scratches their way in and get a shot at recognition and a big payday. Todd Hamilton’s 2004 British Open shows what the lesser-known player can do. Brandt Jobe is one, like Hamilton, who took the long way to play the PGA Tour.
While attending UCLA Brandt Jobe was named an All-American in the years 1986-1988 and was named All Pac-10 Conference from 1986 to 1987. When he entered the professional arena in 1988 he had the credentials to be an instant success on the big guy tour. However, college accolades do not always translate into instant PGA Tour success.
He quickly carved a niche for himself on the Canadian Tour winning the British Columbia Open, finishing first on the Order of Merit (money list), and posting the low scoring average for the year. In the fall he placed 6th at Q-School earning his PGA Tour card for the first time. He was unable to gain traction the first time around and headed to the Japan Golf Tour in 1995.
Between 1995 and 1999 Jobe won six tournaments in Japan including two runner up finishes. Again he found success finishing 25th on the money list and ranking 3rd in scoring average (70.24) in 1995 and 20th on the money list in 1996.
He joined the PGA Tour in September of 1999 as a special temporary member in the fall and qualified for the Masters by virtue of his rank of 50th in the world. He finished the Masters in a tie for 14th. Later that year he played the PGA Championship and tied for 16th.
In 2000 Jobe returned to the PGA Tour for the first time since 1991 and was able to hang on to his Tour card by finishing 120th on the money list. He was able to retain his Tour card until he shattered some bones in his palm in 2003.
Jobe was limited to 9 events in 2004 because of his injury and was granted a Major Medical Extension for the 2005 season. Jobe has definitely taken the scenic route to get to the PGA Tour but has made the most of his time on Tour.
Jobe has fallen just short of a win twice this year with two second place finishes. The first came at the rain-shortened BellSouth Classic which Phil Mickelson won on the fourth playoff hole. Jobe fell out of the hunt on the first playoff hole when he knocked his second shot into the water and was unable to get up and down for par.
Jobe also placed second at The International in August behind Retief Goosen. Jobe held the lead toward the end of the weekend but faltered down the stretch. That Goosen was there to grab the lead is no surprise.
2005 has been Brandt Jobe’s coming out party. While he has been unable to grab that elusive Tour victory he has had a strong showing. Two runner-ups and a total of five top-10’s is solid. He is currently 50th in the World Golf Rankings and 29th (down from 27th last week) on the PGA Tour money list with $1,857,971 earned thus far. There isn’t much that can prevent him from being around for next year. A glance at the money list shows that Jobe is currently ahead of John Daly, Brad Faxon, and Mike Weir.
Born August 1, 1965 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Jobe is now a resident of Southlake, Texas. His beautiful 5,000 square foot home sits on the 15th hole of the Byron Nelson designed Timarron Country Club, a 348 yard par-4. Jobe took the long way around to the PGA Tour and learned to be frugal in the process. He recounted missing the cut but incurring $10,000 in expenses his first week in Japan in a Business week interview. Hemorrhaging cash like that will teach you to be careful with your money quickly.
In his five years on the Japanese Tour Jobe earned $2.85 million. “I was pretty conservative with my money,” Jobe recounts. “Japan put me in a position where I’m not sitting home counting pennies.”
No, Brandt Jobe hasn’t yet won the British Open like counterpart Todd Hamilton but yes, he’s put himself in the right position for success. As one of the top-30 on the PGA Tour money list he has every right to expect good things next year. He keeps putting himself in a good position for success. Now if he can just quiet his nerves when he’s in contention he’s got a great shot at a win.
For perspective, last week’s winner, Wes Short, Jr., is 70th on the money list up from 176th. Jobe has put in a more consistent year with more opportunities to win but didn’t get-er-done. He is currently 98 places in front of 2004 British Open winner Hamilton on the money list. Look for Brandt Jobe to continue to improve into 2006. Jobe’s tenacity, perseverance through injury, and solid play have assured him more opportunities for a win. It isn’t unreasonable to believe that he’ll grab a win late in 2005 or early in 2006.
Photo Credit: © Reuters.