Author: By Martin Renzhofer
The Salt Lake Tribune
First Published Aug 25 2012 08:33 pm Last Updated Aug 26 2012 05:08 pm
Farmington – Perspective means everything. So does $20,000.
Dusty Fielding has earned a couple of top-five finishes competing on the GolfWeek National Pro Tour, but says he has yet to receive a check as the tour has shut down.
For Lehi’s Gipper Finau, the Utah Open marks the first time this year he will play on Sunday in the final group — with Fielding and Stephen Schneiter of Sandy, who tied for the tournament’s low round at 63.
“It feels good to be back in contention,” said Finau, two shots behind Fielding in what promises to be a rush to the finish at Oakridge Country Club. Eight players are within four shots of Fielding’s 14-under par total of 130.
“It could have been a lot better,” the long-driving Finau said. “But I’m right there.”
Meanwhile, former Masters champion Mike Weir’s perspective is completely different. He continues to sharpen his game for a larger vision and a reconnection with the target.
And nine shots behind the leader, he understands it would take a superhuman effort to challenge.
That’s why he has a 4:50 p.m. flight to Switzerland.
“I should be able to make it,” said Weir with a smile. He’s scheduled to tee off at 9 a.m.
The leaders go off at 11:48 a.m.
“This was definitely the right choice,” he said. “I need to sharpen things up, and the only way you can do that is by playing. It’s not PGA Tour, but it’s competition nonetheless. You find things out about your game when you are playing and competing.
“It was the smart thing to do. If I played like I did yesterday in Europe it would have been a bad number.”
Like Weir, Fielding, who finished tied for 15th last year, began the day not quite on target. After opening with six pars, his game began to click and he finished with a second consecutive score of 65 on the par-72 course.
“I didn’t drive well today, but sort of managed it,” said Fielding, a resident of St. George. “Halfway through I started to hit my irons well.”