It’s been 13 years since Shane Bertsch of Parker last played in the HealthOne Colorado Open, a tournament he won in 1998.
And there’s a reason he’s back this week after his extended absence. A month ago, the 45-year-old virtually assured himself of returning to the PGA Tour for the 2015-16 wraparound season.
Bertsch (left) won the Rust-Oleum Championship on the Web.com Tour in June and currently stands in seventh place on the 2015 money list. That means he’s basically a lock to finish in the top 25 on the Web.com regular-season money list, which assures him of a PGA Tour exemption for 2015-16.
So ironically, while the two players in this week’s Colorado Open field that have PGA Tour wins to their credit — Notah Begay and Chris Riley — received more attention at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Bertsch is the only Colorado Open competitor who is virtually certain to have fully-exempt status on the world’s premier golf tour next year.
“That’s what I’ve always been striving for,” Bertsch said after shooting a 3-under-par 69 Friday at the Colorado Open. “I’ve been out there a few different years, but it’s been a while.”
With his situation largely settled, Bertsch felt comfortable returning to the Colorado Open instead of needing to grind out his status down the home stretch of the Web.com Tour. The Denver native last played in the event in 2002, when he finished fifth, behind champion Kevin Stadler and runner-up Gary Hallberg — two players who now have PGA Tour victories — among others. That means that Bertsch hasn’t ever competed in the Open since it moved to Green Valley Ranch in 2004.
“Fortunately, a month ago I won and put myself in good shape,” he said. “I haven’t had the opportunity to stick around Colorado for more than a week at a time in the summer for a long time. But I’ve spent the last three weeks here, and I’m using this week as a refreshing time to stay at home, play in a tournament, and keep my game sharp. Then I’ll be heading out on the road again next week.”
So far this week, Bertsch has posted rounds of 70-69 for a 5-under-par 139 total, leaving him six shots out of the lead that’s held by defending champion Ian Davis of Edmond, Okla.
“I feel like I’ve played pretty solid,” he said. “I don’t think this course is playing too easy, and we’ve got 36 holes left. I feel good about it.
“This is a good track. I’m good buddies with Derek Tolan and Nick Mason, and they both said how good a shape it gets as far as firmness and the greens getting quick. It really is a good test. It’s no pushover.”
Bertsch has played full schedules on the PGA Tour six years between 1996 and 2012, but hasn’t been able to regain his card since — until now. He has five top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour to his credit, and has won $2.45 million on that circuit, in addition to the $1.28 million he’s earned on the Web.com Tour, where he’s won three times.
“I’ve been close (to regaining his PGA Tour card) the last couple of years but I haven’t done it,” he said. “It’s tough playing the Web. I’ve got no problems doing it but you always want to be up at the next level. That’s the only thing you really play for is to be up there. But the win really helps. I’m really looking forward to going back.
“And it’s nice to get it done early this year so I didn’t have to sweat it all the way through the year.”
Davis Ahead in Title Defense: The Colorado Open hasn’t crowned back-to-back champions since Dave Hill took home the trophy in both 1976 and ’77, but Ian Davis of Edmond, Okla., will try to change that this week.
The former Oklahoma State golfer shot an 8-under-par 64 on Friday — the low round this week — to reach the halfway point at 11-under 133, good for a two-stroke lead.
It’s as if he’s picking up right where he left off last year at Green Valley Ranch. On Friday, he racked up nine birdies, offset by one bogey.
“You have some good memories already around this place,” said the 23-year-old, who’s playing primarily this year on PGA Tour Latinoamerica, where he stands 23rd on the money list. “I came out a couple of days early and saw the course and everything. Those memories kind of come back to you and you can draw on those.”
The 64 Davis shot Friday was his best at GVR by two strokes.
The four players who share second place — two strokes behind Davis — include two other former champions, Zahkai Brown (left) of Arvada (2013 winner) and Wil Collins of Rapid City, S.D. (2005). Brown, the first-round leader, carded a 70 on Friday, while Collins had a 65.
Also at 9-under-par 135 are John Hurley of Spring, Texas (66 Friday) and Kurt Kitayama of Chico, Calif. (69).
Brown birdied his final hole of the day — No. 9 — but lamented going 2 over par through the first eight holes of his back nine — which is normally a good stretch for scoring.
“I hit it just as good today as yesterday (when he shot 65), but there were a couple of mental errors where I made a bogey,” he said. “I just wasn’t thinking very well on the back nine and made some dumb bogeys. I was kind of rushing it. I don’t know why. I just wish I could have gotten three or four more (under par).”
Among those another shot back, at 136, are Parker Edens of Greeley, who bogeyed his last three holes for a 70, and former Air Force Academy golfer Kyle Westmoreland (65).
Notable: The field was cut to the low 60 players and ties after Friday’s second round, with all competitors at 1 over par or better advancing to the weekend. Both of the PGA Tour winners in the field — Notah Begay and Chris Riley — posted 2-over-par 146 totals and missed the cut by one. … Amateur Robb Bierbaum of Arvada made the second hole-in-one of the week, acing the 182-yard fifth hole with a 5-iron. Bierbaum shot a 77 for a 157 total and missed the cut. On Thursday, Barry Milstead of Castle Rock made a hole-in-one on No. 13. It’s the first time since 1998 that two aces have been recorded in the same Colorado Open. … Tee times, off both the first and 10th holes, will run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. on Saturday.
For scores from the Colorado Open, CLICK HERE.
For Saturday tee times, CLICK HERE.
