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Wednesday, November 25
Funk has the time of his life at PGA
Associated Press
CHASKA, Minn. -- Although he shot a 1-over 73 in the final
round of the PGA Championship on Sunday, Fred Funk was elated with
his fourth-place tie.
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... the fans were really into me. It was kind of an
all-inclusive package I had. I called it 'Funk Fest.' " |
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-- Fred Funk |
''I just didn't want the day to end,'' said Funk, who finished
at 4-under 284. He and Justin Leonard were six strokes back of
winner Rich Beem.
At 46, Funk never has won a major, and he hasn't even won a tour
event since 1998. But with his surprising performance, ever-present
smile and animated celebrations, Funk clearly won over the fans in
Minnesota this week.
A man walking out of the clubhouse after the tournament's
conclusion was asked by an autograph-seeking fan if any players
were left inside.
''Fred Funk is,'' he said.
''Yessss!'' she replied.
Though he finished second in two of his three previous
tournaments before the PGA, Funk didn't qualify for any of the
season's first three majors. He entered the week 28th on the money
list, and his biggest claim to fame was his last name, which along
with fellow first-round co-leader Jim Furyk, made him sound like
part of a '70s disco act.
''It might help get me a little notoriety,'' Funk said of his
attitude. ''Once they saw I'm a pretty jovial guy, and once they
jumped on my name, the fans were really into me. It was kind of an
all-inclusive package I had. I called it 'Funk Fest.'''
His success at Hazeltine was not only a self-esteem boost, but
it's also a guarantee he won't have to wiggle his way into the PGA
Championship just to play in a major next season. The top four
finishers at the PGA automatically are in the next Masters.
''This has given me some confidence for the rest of the year,''
Funk said. ''It helped me achieve a couple of my goals. I wanted to
get into some of the majors. And I guess finishing fourth will get
me into some of those.''
What made Sunday more special for Funk was the chance to play
with Tiger Woods. They formed what was easily the most popular
group of the tournament.
''Freddie is a great guy, one I've come to know very well over
the last few years and become one of my good friends out here,''
Woods said. ''It was really neat to actually play the final round
of a major with one of your buddies.''
Even if that buddy wanted badly to mock him.
After missing a putt -- and the chance to show off his Woods
imitation -- on No. 16 Saturday, Funk made a par putt on the first
hole Sunday and promptly displayed his version of the rapid-fire
fist pump Woods so often does after making a crucial short shot.
''I told him I was going to do it,'' Funk said. ''It was kind of
a mini-Tiger. I said, 'Hey, I got it out of the way.' And he said,
'Hey, that's great.' He was laughing.''
Funk again smiled and spoke proudly of his older brother, who
recently sought help for a drinking problem, crediting the peace
he's derived from the situation for allowing him to loosen up.
''I don't want to make a fool out of myself,'' Funk said. ''I
just have fun really reacting. In golf today, nobody really reacts
at all. I say, 'Let yourself go.' That's the biggest difference for
me. Enjoy this for a moment instead of saying, 'OK, let's go to the
next hole.'''
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