Nick Watney using "AMAZING LIFELINE" exemption to play on PGA Tour
Nick Watney is still in the top 50 earners of all time on the PGA Tour and he has used this accolade to his advantage.
Nick Watney has cashed in on a one-time-only use exemption to play on the PGA Tour this season, as he is still ranked in the top 50 earners of all time.
Last week, the American was ranked on the bubble at number 50, having earned $28,643,270, and he has cashed in on this exemption to play on the 2021/2022 PGA Tour schedule.
Last season, he finished 204th in the FedEx Cup rankings and he failed to make the Korn Ferry Tour finals so now was the time to use his exemption and he has used it to full effect.
The five-time PGA Tour winner finished tied 30th at the Fortinet Championship and he finished tied second behind Sam Burns at the Sanderson Farms Championship at the weekend.
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Watney is winless on the tour in nine years, but now back with legendary instructor Butch Harmon, he will hope that his exempt status for 2022 will reinvigorate his career.
Looking for his first win in 9 years.
Nick Watney is the leader in the clubhouse @Sanderson_Champ. pic.twitter.com/nPUV4gTZ2s
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 3, 2021
"This is why I play golf. To be nervous and pull it off," said Watney, after finishing well in Mississippi.
"Last year there were some low times, I asked myself some really tough questions. You know, do I want to keep playing? Do I enjoy this? I’ve played long enough that I don’t really know anything else, you know?
"I think this proves to myself that what I’m working on is the right thing.
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"There was definitely some lean times, especially last year. I’m not trying to think about that anymore, I’m trying to continue to get better and this was a great step this week."
Last season, Watney staggeringly missed 18 cuts in a row and this contributed to him plummeting to 681st in the world rankings. He has not won since The Barclays in 2012.
This form is far from what he is capable of. He won five times on tour between 2007 and 2012 and broke into the world's top 10 in the process.
