August 24, 2001

COLUMBUS, OH — There was a time when Pat McElroy would headline any tournament he entered.  Such is not the case anymore.  But every now and again, McElroy regains his confidence, and with it his form and his swagger.  Saturday could be one of those days.  With a field that any major championship would cherish, it's McElroy whose name we see at the top.

The 30-year-old Ohioan plans to beat the talented field on Saturday at Cook's Creek in Ashville, OH.  A field with Myers, Hevy Jo, Slick, OlaFowble, Butter, Randy Watson, and C.P.  "Right now, I am as confident as I've felt in two or three years on the golf course," McElroy said.

He then found something in his putting stroke while walking down the 5th fairway at Oakhaven a few weeks ago.  "I was questioning myself why I wasn't releasing the putter," he said, "and I started thinking about how I used to putt and I lifted my shoulders a little more.  Once I got my shoulders a little more elevated, all of a sudden the putter started to release."

It should prove quite effective.  McElroy plans to score many points on the greens at Cook's.  "It's not like Watson or Myers will be sinking putts.  I feel good right now and ready to take some money from some hackers."