MICHELUZZI SAFE

MICHELUZZI SAFE FOR NEXT SEASON

David Micheluzzi is the first to admit he hasn’t had a great season. There have been glimpses of what his is capable of but also way too many bad rounds. I followed him at the Italian Open this year and that’s exactly what I saw – great shots mixed with average (for a tour player) shots.

Micheluzzi entered the last regular season tournament ranked 108 in the DP World Tour Order of Merit, The Race to Dubai. The number of cards for next season is a slightly tricky equation but it is basically the top 110 plus a few extras due to medicals and other exemptions. This year it is the top 115 who get a card next season. If you don’t make it into that category playing rights are limited and the pressure is really on to preform in the few starts you get, particularly early in the season.

So a bad week could have seen Micheluzzi drop down out of the top 115 and have reduced playing opportunities next season. A good opening round of 4 under 67 had him in good position to make the cut. However the second round saw him 5 over through 10 holes and edging toward the cut line and uncertainty for next season. This is pressure plus knowing your job is on the line with 9 holes of golf to play.

But a late rally of 3 birdies in the last 5 holes saw him comfortably inside the cut line and guaranteed to stay in the top 115. Under the circumstances it was a great couple of hours play under the most extreme pressure. Micheluzzi is never one to hold back the honest and raw emotions and his interviews on the DP World Tour show what it means to secure his full playing rights for next season. Well done Micha on a great fight back.