Regular visitor of The Gurgler will know we have a soft spot for Rod Pampling.
We proudly boasted to be one of the few websites with an unofficial Rod Pampling update.
So imagine our sheer delight when he broke through for a win on the US PGA Tour in November.
It was win of quality, with a strong field. He also hit no less than a 60, just missing out from the magical 59 with a missed putt.
But it is not just the win on the US PGA Tour that gets our nod. It was the hard work to get back on the tour to get in a position for the win.
Rod Pampling got back on the USPGA Tour last season through hard slog on the second tier Web.Com Tour, where he had a win on his way to the Top 25 and USPGA Tour card.
His first season back saw him finish just out of the automatic card retention spots, but close enough to get a second chance on the Web.Com Tour finals.
Whilst some sportsmen may have dropped the bottom lip, Rod Pampling dropped putts, and got his card back.
Fast forward not long after and he was holding the trophy for winning the Shriners Tournament.
That win gives exemptions a plenty, plus another year at least on the US PGA Tour, and more chances for wins, and Gurgler ticks of approval.
A licence to print money one could say.
But he’s no snob. He has turned out for the Australian Summer of Golf. A man of the people.
Plus we’re looking forward to another appearance at Augusta for the US Masters. If he can beat his previous best of fifth, then the celebrations will really start.
So another trophy possibly awaits Rod Pampling for 2016 – The Gurgler Person of the Year.
The forgotten man of Australian golf is slightly less forgotten than before. But always remembered by us.
Just one nomination to go, and once it is unveiled the voting will open.
Previous Nominations.
Adebayo Akinfenwa – aka The Beast – UK Footballer
Charles Strunk – Local Councillor and Man of the People
Loudy Wiggins – winner of Favourite Forgotten Olympian
Clancy Overell and Errol Parker from The Betoota Advocate – Funny Buggers.
