Spring Break
Univ. graduate ties for 25th in Athens Classic
KEVIN COPP
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Sports
It was one round short of a fairy tale week for Brendon Todd.
Todd, a 2007 graduate and one of only two four-year All-Americans in Georgia men's golf history, entered the final round of last week's Athens Regional Foundation Classic tied for first.
A final round 80 dropped him to a tie for 25th at 2-under-par, nine strokes back of champion Robert Damron.
"The course played a little bit tougher Sunday," Todd said. "With the wind, the greens were firm and fast. I didn't get off to a good start and just couldn't establish any momentum."
Despite the disappointment, Todd was able to look at the bigger picture in his return trip to Athens.
"Athens is a special place for me," Todd said. "It was great to have a lot of fans there, especially on the weekend. If at the beginning of the week, you told me I'd finish in the top 25, I wouldn't have argued with you."
A 25th place finish may seem like a disappointment for the third round co-leader. For Todd, however, who is trying to forge a career in professional golf, it means he gets to play another week.
Finishing PGA Tour Qualifying School with conditional status, the only reason Todd got to play in the Athens Regional Foundation was thanks to a sponsor's exemption, also given to former Bulldog golfers Ryan Hybl and Chris Kirk.
Todd's 25th place finish in Athens earns him a spot in next week's field in the Henrico County Open in Richmond, Va.
"I'm fortunate enough to have a sponsor's exemption in Valdosta (the following week), which gives me a little bit of a cushion next week," Todd said. "If I keep playing well, I'll keep getting to play in more events. It's a lot of fun to go out there and play professional golf and get to do it for a living."
Todd tied with Hybl, a letterman from 2001-04 and current Director of Golf Operations at the University. Hybl fired a first-round 73 before three straight scores of 71 to finish at 2-under.
Kirk, one of two repeat first-team All-Americans in Bulldog history, is also in his first year on the Nationwide Tour, and missed the cut after rounds of 73 and 78 Thursday and Friday.
Todd, a 2007 graduate and one of only two four-year All-Americans in Georgia men's golf history, entered the final round of last week's Athens Regional Foundation Classic tied for first.
A final round 80 dropped him to a tie for 25th at 2-under-par, nine strokes back of champion Robert Damron.
"The course played a little bit tougher Sunday," Todd said. "With the wind, the greens were firm and fast. I didn't get off to a good start and just couldn't establish any momentum."
Despite the disappointment, Todd was able to look at the bigger picture in his return trip to Athens.
"Athens is a special place for me," Todd said. "It was great to have a lot of fans there, especially on the weekend. If at the beginning of the week, you told me I'd finish in the top 25, I wouldn't have argued with you."
A 25th place finish may seem like a disappointment for the third round co-leader. For Todd, however, who is trying to forge a career in professional golf, it means he gets to play another week.
Finishing PGA Tour Qualifying School with conditional status, the only reason Todd got to play in the Athens Regional Foundation was thanks to a sponsor's exemption, also given to former Bulldog golfers Ryan Hybl and Chris Kirk.
Todd's 25th place finish in Athens earns him a spot in next week's field in the Henrico County Open in Richmond, Va.
"I'm fortunate enough to have a sponsor's exemption in Valdosta (the following week), which gives me a little bit of a cushion next week," Todd said. "If I keep playing well, I'll keep getting to play in more events. It's a lot of fun to go out there and play professional golf and get to do it for a living."
Todd tied with Hybl, a letterman from 2001-04 and current Director of Golf Operations at the University. Hybl fired a first-round 73 before three straight scores of 71 to finish at 2-under.
Kirk, one of two repeat first-team All-Americans in Bulldog history, is also in his first year on the Nationwide Tour, and missed the cut after rounds of 73 and 78 Thursday and Friday.
Be the first to comment on this story