By BRANDON PARKER
bparker@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5536
Fresh off a 31⁄2-month layoff and minutes removed from an impressive round of 7-under par 66 golf at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in January, it’s more than likely that the Verizon Heritage was far from D.J. Trahan’s mind.
Still, based on the 28-year-old’s words during that winter day in Hawaii, one couldn’t help but wonder.
“I hit the ball really solid, and it was a pleasure to play with Boo (Weekley) because he struck the ball very well,” Trahan said after being paired with the two-time defending Heritage champ. “So it was kind of like he and I battled back and forth, from tee-to-green.”
Then, when asked about how Trahan spent the longest vacation of his career, he responded: “I do a lot of what Boo Weekley does. I enjoy hunting a lot.”
Of course, doing a lot of what Boo does has never included chewing tobacco during rounds or galloping on his golf club like Happy Gilmore at the Ryder Cup. But thanks to a breakout 2008 season and two top-10 finishes in nine tournaments this year, like Weekley, Trahan must grow used to being one of the hunted during this week’s Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Granted, having a slew of eyes fixed on him is nothing new for Trahan, at least not during his five previous appearances at the Heritage. Growing up in Hilton Head and currently residing in Mount Pleasant, Trahan is plenty popular among local spectators, who flock to catch a glimpse of their hometown hero, just as Trahan once did.
“When you have that many people out watching you, you want to play well for them,” the former Hilton Head Island High School student said. “Every year I watched the guys come through at the Heritage and what can you say?
“You watch the best players in the game every year come through your hometown and play in your home course, and you love the game already. And then you see what they’re doing and it’s just kind of a domino effect.”
Last year saw things fall into place for Trahan. Not only did Trahan have his best showing at Harbour Town Golf Links, tying for 17th at 5-under, he also recorded four top-10 finishes, including a victory at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Open.
“When you contend in a major you kind of prove to yourself that you’ve got the ability to win one,” Trahan said after jockeying for the lead with eventual champ Tiger Woods at last June’s Open Championship. “Now, each and every major that I play in I’ll tee it up knowing I’ve been in the hunt and that I’m good enough to win that tournament.”
Along with this newfound confidence has come an improved putting game, which often handicapped Trahan’s strong tee-shot ability in the past.
Just two years ago, Trahan ranked 183rd in putting average, but through nine events this season, the six-year Tour member sits at 82nd with a 1.788 mark.
Such numbers bode well for Trahan entering the Heritage, which rewards efficient ball-strikers with a knack for birdies, an area that Trahan ranks eighth on the tour this year with more than four per round.
This rise to prominence has been a quiet one, far from the ballyhoo surrounding Weekley or fellow up-and-comers Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas. But the way Trahan sees it, as long as he keeps improving, it’s only a matter of time before the whispers about his game evolve into, perhaps, a Tiger-like roar.
“My game, I feel like, has been going in the correct direction, and if it’ll keep going that way, I feel like, yeah, I’ll be in that little group that they’ve got going with these young guns,” Trahan said. “If you’re mentioned with the guys that are highly ranked in the world, the best players in the game, you’re certainly doing something right.”
