CROMWELL, Conn – James Driscoll played like a man on a mission. And he was.
The 33-year old Bay State native, playing in his fourth full year on the PGA Tour,
moved his talented game into full-throttle this weekend at the Travelers Championship, impressing legions of New England golf fans and friends, with rounds of 69-64-64-67, for 16-under par total, and solo fifth place finish.
After three rounds, Driscoll found himself in a most-coveted position: alone in third, three shots behind eventual winner Fredrik Jacobsen (65-66-63-66), a pairing in the second-to-last group with Ryan Moore (64-70-64-63), and exposure to a national television audience.
“I’ve never been in that position before and felt a little edgy, before teeing off and for the first few holes,” Driscoll said after his round. “I settled down on the back side. In my previous best Sunday finish I have come from way back, so this was a new experience for me. I liked it and there’s a bit more pressure, but I’m not used to having all of Sunday morning to prepare.”
So where did James go and what is his new routine for what he hopes will be more 
1:50 pm tee times in the final round? He went to the gym to work out.
With a spectacular outing here in his 12th event of the season, Driscoll has turned an okay year into a good year, but he has much work ahead to finish in the top-125 money list and earn exemption status for 2012. A check for $240,000, second largest in his career, boosts him up to $588,215 for the year, ranking No. 107. He missed 6 cuts, and finished T-13 at the Byron Nelson Classic and T-8 at AT&T Pebble Beach.
Driscoll’s vital statistics for the successful week were impressive: average drives of 296 yards ranking him No. 5; 79% greens in regulation ranking T-6; and 1.6 putts ranking No. 16 for the week. He credits a short range session with swing guru Sean Foley, for his improved play and plans to contact him again next week.
“I wanted to win,” a smiling Driscoll stated before signing autographs and greeting a slew of family members and friends from Charles River Country Club, who walked around all day, and were quite boisterous at times. “It’s been a great week and I’m very happy right now. I will play in as many tournaments that I’m eligible and hope the good play continues. There’s one place I would like to spend Labor Day weekend, and that’s at the TPC for the Deutsche Bank Championship.”
There was good news and bad news for the contingent of PGA Tour Team New England players: J.J. Henry (T-24), Tim Petrovic (T-38), Jerry Kelly (T-38), Fran Quinn (T-59), Keegan Bradley (T-63), Jim Renner (MC), Brad Faxon (MC) Billy Andrade (MC).
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY: Kenneth E. Dennis www.kendennisphoto.com
Related posts:
- Boston golfer James Driscoll flirts with 59 in Puerto Rico Open
- Enter to Win the Taylor Made Experience: James Driscoll
- Watson wins first PGA title at Travelers Championship; Kerr dominates LPGA Championship
- Early Commitments to the 2010 Travelers Championship
- Rickie Fowler and the Travelers Championship
