Snedeker On How He's Spending His FedExCup Money, Tournament Directors And Broke Door Handles

A bit lost in all of the belly putter and Old Course news was a super press conference I was privileged to sit in on where Brandt Snedeker talked about life after winning the $10 million FedExCup. If you have a few minutes you'll get a kick out reading the transcript where he talks about the day the money arrived and how he has no plans to spend it other than on a new foundation.

Jill Painter did a nice job putting his story together, hitting on Snedeker's revelation that he's still driving his 2004 Chevrolet Denali, now missing a door handle after he broke it the other day.

And this will warm tournament directors' hearts:

He played in his first Ryder Cup, and the U.S. loss still tears at him. As does the fact he hasn't played the Shell Houston Open except twice, even though he earned his first sponsor's exemption there.

"I feel awful because (executive director) Steve Timms helped me out when I was an amateur or when I first turned pro," Snedeker said.

"I haven't been able to return the favor. I know I will because I still feel indebted to him."

Comments

[Stord]

You know, Snedeker really comes across as a great guy, but really is a choker of the highest order.. was very obvious to many people (including many on here) that he was a terrible Ryder Cup pick. His singles match result was decided before the Friday! I'm afraid he'll be remembered for his meltdowns at the Masters and Ryder Cup.

[KLG]

Maybe. But at a roughly comparable stage in his career Tom Watson was considered a choker, too.

[Tadpole]

Stord

Because someone doesn't win every opportunity one is presented with doesn't make one a choker! Jack Nicklaus finished second 19 times in majors and I am pretty sure he lost a few singles matches at the Ryder Cup. For you to label Big Red as a choker shows just how easy it is to type on a blog...hopefully you will be 'remembered" for something more than your poor analysis of Brandt.

[Brad]

Nice one Stord. It's amazing to me how you can slag someone who is helping others who are not as fortunate as himself. Who cares that he's had some missteps on the golf courses. I and many others will remember him for his charitable acts long after we've forgotten his Ryder Cup record.

[Paboy]

He flys Southwest, now that says alot about his desire to be careful with a dime.

[ol Harv]

KLG, as usual, on the money, I remember Watson's final round at Winged Foot when I was a young boy, 1974(Massacre at Winged Foot-great book by the way).

I still am amazed at how someone who puts themselves in that position and HAS won, while in that position, can be called a choker. There are so many aspects that go into winning a match in both team and individual match play. Tiger's record is not very good in RC play, is he a choker? I can remember when he was labeled the greatest matchplay golfer in history.

[ol Harv]

KLG, as usual, on the money, I remember Watson's final round at Winged Foot when I was a young boy, 1974(Massacre at Winged Foot-great book by the way).

I still am amazed at how someone who puts themselves in that position and HAS won, while in that position, can be called a choker. There are so many aspects that go into winning a match in both team and individual match play. Tiger's record is not very good in RC play, is he a choker? I can remember when he was labeled the greatest matchplay golfer in history.

[Jim Beckner]

Stord - you tried your best to make a point - but you choked.

jb

[DTF]

Brandt Snedeker: "This rule has not been made because three guys won majors; this rule has been made because there's a generation of golfers who have never had a short putter and is that the way the game of golf is supposed to go?

Peter Dawson and Mike Davis are extremely intelligent people. They know what they're doing when it comes to the game of golf. I trust them implicitly, 100 percent, whatever they decide to do, and I think that's the way the game of golf should be."

Part A = 100% false. Part B = Brandt has lots to learn.

[Stord]

Snedeker has been in the highest pressure situations twice & has badly choked on both occasions. Nobody seriously regards the Fed-Ex Cup as more than a cash grab (like one of the events in Dubai or Turkey). I think that he also led the British Open after 2 rounds and failed to break par on the weekend.

Somebody mentioned Tiger's record in the Ryder Cup. The biggest pressure in on Ryder Cup singles on Sunday - I recall Tiger's record in Ryder Cup singles is pretty decent right? How much did Snedeker lose by in his match, 5 and 3?!

He's undoubtedly a nice guy, but is vastly overrated and not one for the big stage.

[Amen Coroner]

Is 2 or 3 chances enough to be called a choker? Jeesh Stord you must really not like Vandy?

Brandt = refreshing

He speaks his mind succinctly and plays golf quickly!

[e9golf]

Stord, let's play a match with $100 nassau's, one down autos. And we'll invite everyone who reads this blog to come watch so there's a bit of public humiliation should either of us fail. We'll see then if you are qualified to designate another golfer as a choker.

I think the point of the post is that Snedeker is a quality guy and hasn't allowed the trappings of success change him a bit. The fact that he takes time to meet tournament volunteers and shows up for media days is a tournament directors nirvana. And that he plays fast and doesn't give a guarded, generic interview is a major bonus.

I do wish, however, that he'd just go spend $60k on a new ride so I can quit reading about this Denali of his...

[DTF]

Whadya bet Brandt also loves Finchem and is super tight bud's with Davis Love?

[Pat Burke]

Has he missed Houston due to injury?
I seem to remember a hip issue

[Stord]

e9golf - of course I am a complete choker on the golf course and a very average golfer! By your logic, nobody on this blog (including Geoff) has any write to pass comment on anything the tour-level golfers do.

Snedeker has received a huge amount of media attention over the last year and hence it's fair game to compare with him with the leading players on tour. Compared with them he is a big-time choker.. of course they have also had their meltdowns at times, but Snedeker is practically guaranteed to choke at the highest stage.

[Stord]

I meant "right" rather than "write" of course... ahem!

[johnnycz]

"Guaranteed to Choke?"??!!

Yeah Stord, whatever you say, go buy some lottery tickets while you're at it. I agree that Snedeker sure choked his way into the Maters field on more than one occasion, something that 99.99999% of all golfers who've ever played the game will never have a chance to even experience. Oh and lets not forget all the choking he must have done to even be holding a Tour card basically right out of college, coming back from hip surgery, etc...yup...looks like a choker as per your posts...IF I was insane.

Little fact for you...everybody who has made it on Tour can never be classified a "choker"...the fact they made it proves they can more than handle nerves. Now have they ALL choked in the past?? of course they have, many of them spectacularly, and will continue to do so for as long as they play the game...no one has ever perfected something that can't be perfected. The better ones (like Sneds) tend to stick around for awhile, possessing a good attitude is more important than anything else.

[digsouth]

Sneds seems to still be learning, and to let one or more get away, especially big ones, is a part of learning. It seems like a Rory Mc choke big time happened a couple of years ago- anyone remember that? Anyway, he seems to be learning and it would seem that Sneds will learn as well.

IMO, one with a fast paced clock like Sneds can get in a ''choke'' position more easily than a slower paced player- so it seems that Brandt has a longer learning curve due to this ''chihuahua''hypertension he is blessed/cursed with.

[Stord]

"Guaranteed to Choke?"??!!

Yep... any time he's in contention on the weekend at a major (and most likely any time he's playing Ryder Cup singles).