Bob Sowards: Focused on the 2009 Tour

He'll miss his daughter's sixth birthday, but Bob Sowards knows this is what he must do to stay on the PGA Tour. The second stage of Q-school is underway this week and Sowards is in the thick of it trying to earn his PGA card back for 2009.

Last year in the final round of Q-school, Sowards birdied his last hole which landed him in a tie for 23rd. He secured the last spot for a PGA Tour card. Sowards had some great moments on the tour this year. He had one top ten finish, made nine cuts, and was the fifth ranked player on tour for eagles—earning some serious cash for the children of St. Jude. Still, Sowards finished 188 on the money list.

As a result, he is teeing off today in the second stage of Q-school at Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, California. I caught up with Bob last week as we were both practicing at the indoor range. He was kind enough to talk to me about his first year on the tour and his hopes for the future.

HEATHER: What was the greatest highlight of the tour for you?

BOB: Playing Pebble Beach. Getting to [hole] number six. I thought, 'I'm really on the PGA Tour'...Even though I missed the cut, it was a personal highlight. Of course, playing solid in Greensboro [at the Wyndham Championship] and making the top 10 for the first time. I also shot 28 in Texas [Valero Texas Open] on the last 9 holes. I went from 50th to 19th. It just shows you can move up quick when you start making birdies.

HEATHER: How about the biggest surprise?

BOB: On the Nationwide, you basically have to earn everything. On the PGA Tour it's like Christmas every day at the range. It was a real eye-opener.

HEATHER: Tell me about the hardest part of the tour?

BOB: Really the only negative about being on tour, was missing family...It's a necessary evil I guess.

HEATHER: Does your daughter understood the significance of what you are doing?

BOB: Yeah, she follows it pretty closely. As far as golf goes, she knows me and Tiger. I'm not sure how she knows of Tiger, but she does. I guess every kid knows who Tiger is.

HEATHER: Did you ever think anything less than $900,000 would be a losing season?

BOB: I thought the cut would be about $750,000. I didn't have a clue it would be almost a million dollars.

HEATHER: Which is more stressful Q-school or making the cut on the tour?

BOB: Q- school. Definitely Q-school. You can't relax. You are nervous all the time. On the tour, you may be nervous on the first tee and whenever you are in contention, but you can go out to dinner and get away from it. At Q-school, you don't eat well or sleep well, and there is no following week. [On tour,] you are trying to make the cut. But if you don't, there is always next week.

HEATHER: Hybrids, yes or no?

BOB: I just went to a 5 wood instead. I struggled with that distance. I probably tried 18 hybrids, but I never found one I liked. Now, I'm getting 215-230 yards off my Taylor Made Burner.

HEATHER: Hats or visors?

BOB: Hats

HEATHER: Belly putter or regular putter?

BOB: Belly putter. I started using it last summer, just before Q school. I starting making all my 5-10 foot putts. The release is better. I hit on-line. I'm simply putting better. I never miss a short putt, which is huge.

HEATHER: Hyatt or Hilton?

BOB: I've never stayed at either. I like to rent condos. I hate eating out all the time.

HEATHER: Vardon or interlocking?

BOB: Vardon.

HEATHER: Pull carts, yes or no?

BOB: I hate them. I guess they are no different than carts. But I really believe in caddies, and our course has a good caddy program.

HEATHER: Should PGA players be allowed to wear shorts during tournaments?

BOB: Yeah, we all practice in shorts. On the LPGA they wear shorts. Although you wouldn't want to see some of the guys in shorts.

HEATHER: Have you ever played with John Daly, would you want to?

BOB: No, and I don't think I do.