By John Dell/Winston-Salem Journal
David Mathis has been here before.
It's the end of the PGA Tour's regular season and, once again, he is racing against time to keep his job.
"It's kind of the same story — but at least I'm used to it," said Mathis, a good-natured 39-year-old Winston-Salem native.
As the Wyndham Championship arrives this week at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, it's do-or-die time for Mathis as he tries to make it into the top 125 on the FedEx Cup points list. He sits at 166 and only a top-five finish would likely give him enough points to make the FedEx Cup playoffs.
The good news is he's playing his best golf of the season. He's coming off four straight made cuts and his best finish in 109 career tournaments on the PGA Tour. His tie for fifth place earlier this month in the Reno-Tahoe Open made him $114,000 for one of the biggest paychecks of his PGA Tour career.
Mathis, a 1997 graduate of Campbell, has been plugging along on the PGA Tour trying to stay above water. It was a big struggle earlier this season, when his putting was reduced to a lot of guessing.
"I just had to figure it out on my own and I realized I needed more loft on my putter because I just wasn't hitting it on-line," Mathis said about missing nine cuts in a row earlier this season.
What also gave him confidence at the Reno-Tahoe Open — the funky tournament that is scored by the modified Stableford system, was a visit to the Scotty Cameron studio in Las Vegas for some guidance with his putting stroke.
"When I was there they confirmed what I had figured out — that I needed more loft on my putter — so that was a big boost for me," Mathis said. "And I went out and putted very well in Reno, except for the final nine holes, where I wasn't at my best."
Mathis will be looking for a breakthrough when he plays in his fourth Wyndham Championship this week. Mathis has heard that the greens will be firm and fast and the rough not as thick as in past tournaments — a prospect that has him excited.
"That's the way a lot of us players like it; instead of just trying to hit the ball to a number on the green, you really have to work the trajectory on fast greens," Mathis said. "I know that's the way I like it."
Despite some struggles this season (making just 11 cuts in 23 tournaments), Mathis said he has enjoyed playing with a former college teammate. Mathis, a North Davidson graduate, has played with Canadian Brad Fritsch, a 2000 graduate of Campbell. Fritsch, 35, is a rookie on the PGA Tour.
"We actually got paired together at the Canadian Open," Mathis said. "And it's funny but I'm pretty sure that it was the first time that two guys from Campbell played in the same PGA Tour tournament."
Mathis was a senior at Campbell when Fritsch was a freshman but now they are both chasing the same dream.
"Back when we were both at Campbell I wish there were some odds laid about both of us one day winding up on the PGA Tour," Mathis said. "I'm guessing nobody would have wanted that bet but I think it's neat that it's turned out that way."
Mathis lives in Wake Forest with his wife, Chastity, and their son, Brady — meaning he will have the luxury of commuting this week.
"Depending on my tee times I might stay just one or two nights in Greensboro and for how much we travel all season long it's a big deal for me," Mathis said. "I've had to play more than I wanted and have been on the road away from my family a lot."
Mathis' parents live in Winston-Salem, so they (and friends and extended family) will get to come watch him play this week.
"I love playing so close to home to Winston and not far from Raleigh," said Mathis, who grew up playing Tanglewood Park, Hillcrest and Wilshire.
Another avenue for Mathis to get his PGA Tour card for 2014 is the PGA Tour money list. The top 125 on the money list after the Wyndham will secure cards.
Mathis, who has made just over $2 million in his career on the PGA Tour, ranks 173rd on the money list.
"I know I've got a lot of work to do but I'm looking forward to having a good week," Mathis said. "I didn't play in the PGA and was able to be at home with the family so I'm feeling pretty good."
jdell@wsjournal.com
