Stout, Sides get a taste of PGA Tour life at CJ Cup Bryon Nelson
By Art Stricklin
MCKINNEY, Texas – Oklahoma State golf star Preston Stout capped an amazing 24-hour period in his young golf career Thursday, dashing from the NCAA regional in Arizona where he helped lead the Cowboys to another championship finals to the first round of his hometown PGA Tour event, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, shooting a first round 2-under 69.
It’s his second professional golf event, having played in the 3M PGA Tour event last summer, but said this one was special being at home before dozens of friends and family at the TPC-Craig Ranch layout, just north of Dallas.
“There was a lot more people supporting me and I’m a Dallas guy and to play here is pretty cool.,” he said.
Tulsa’s Will Sides had an equally cool experience Thursday, having ended his college golf career at SMU Wednesday, turning pro and playing in his first professional event here, shooting an opening round 73.
“Wow, what a learning experience this was,” Sides said. “Something I wanted to do my entire life. I’ve been playing really well and had the SMU ties, so I was able to get a sponsor’s exemption to play here and it was incredible.”
It was a day for lots of players with Oklahoma ties to shine despite the clouds and rain. Taylor Moore of Edmond held the first-round lead with a career-low 9-under 62. Fellow Oak Tree National member Austin Eckroat was tied for 17th with a 65. Former OSU player Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen shot 65. Oak Tree members Zach Bauchou shot 67 and Max McGreevy 68. Robert Streb shot 70.
After his round, Sides took time to greet a large group of friends and family who came out to see him in one of the last groupings of the cloudy damp day including his Cascia Hall golf coach Brian Rahilly who made the nearly four-hour trip south to watch his prize student play.
“It’s different out here (PGA Tour) for sure. It took me about 10 holes today to calm down and get settled,” Sides said.
In his first 10 holes at the par 71 Lanny Wadkins redesigned course, Sides had three bogeys and a double bogey on the par 4 10th hole. He added birdies on holes 5 and 14 and said he was ready to go again for Friday’s second round to try to make the 36-hole cut.
“I get to play earlier Friday and see what I can do. This is my dream,” Sides added.
Nothing much compares to what Stout, the No. 2 Ranked Amateur in the world in the official amateur ranking, did to make his first hometown appearance in a pro event.
After helping ensure the OSU golf team would be back to the NCAA Championship once again, he dashed to the Tucson airport, catching a late afternoon commercial flight which landed in Dallas at 10:30 p.m. He picked up his Byron Nelson Cadillac courtesy car which had been left by his parents earlier in the day and made it to his North Dallas family home by 11:30 p.m.
“He was so excited to play here, he’s probably not tired at all,” said his dad Chris, who walked all 18 holes to watch his son compete against some of the best golfers in the world.
Of course, his dad still had some strict rules for his college golfing son on the verge of a professional golf career,
“I told him anything that happens after 9 p.m., he is on his own. I was sound asleep by the time he got home last night.”
Stout, the three-time Big 12 Golf Champion with more honors and awards than could fit into his small Stillwater apartment, got to the course Thursday mid-morning. Then changed out from his OSU attire to a golf bag, hat and shirt filled with sponsor logos, but still sporting Oklahoma State headcovers.
“I thought it was OK today. I had some good shots, but I’m glad to be out here. My goals going into the week were a top 10 finish and of course make the 36-hole cut,” he said.
After missing the cut at 3M last summer he was inside the cut line after day one at the Nelson tournament.
Of course Stout did exhibit two traits Thursday which should serve him well in what is expected to be a long pro career.
He was visibly frustrated coming off the 18th green, muttering to himself, thinking his score could have been better, and as soon as he signed his scorecard and greeted his dad, he headed to the range for more practice with his caddy and new agent in tow.
Stout said he grew up going to the Byron Nelson tournament each spring as a kid recalling the 2016 tournament when he got Jordan Spieth to sign his visor.
“It’s kind of full circle to come back here and compete as an amateur. It very cool,” said Stout.
Regardless if he makes the cut at the Nelson tournament, he’s staying over at his boyhood home through the weekend and headed to Fort Worth on Monday night as he is one of three finalists for the Ben Hogan Award as the best college golfer.
But no Colonial invite to play at the club where his dad grew up as a kid, as it’s back to the NCAA National Championship at Omni LaCosta outside of San Diego, California and back to the OSU bag and clothing.
“There are a lot golfers here, so I don’t know if one round means anything, but this is so cool the way everthing is done,” Stout said. “I hope I can do this and play here all the time.”