Another Yellow Jacket avoids the dreaded sting of q-school

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Troy Matteson fumbled a one-shot lead to fall into a playoff at the Frys.com Open, which he won with the best 6-iron of his career on the second hole of sudden death.

It's funny how a couple of 61s can change your life. Don't believe it? Just ask Troy Matteson, who went from bubble boy to Mr. Exempt in one week. By winning the Frys.Com Open, Matteson was able to say so-long to q-school and hello to the season-opening, winner's only SBS Championship. He'll begin this week's Viking Classic with a different outlook on life.

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"There were a lot of different things going through my mind before last week started," Matteson said. "I was really prepared to go to q-school. It's unbelievable how fast things changed. All of sudden, now I can relax and set up my schedule."

Matteson emerged on the good side of an emotional cyclone last week in Scottsdale. He began the week outside the magic number at 131st on the money list, and knew he needed a strong finish to retain his exempt status. His chances weren't helped by an opening-round 72.

"After Thursday, I was really down in the dumps," Matteson said, unaware of the magic he was about to make.

Matteson responded with back-to-back 61s, which was good enough to set a PGA TOUR consecutive-round scoring record, and thrust him into contention. He credited the 61s to hitting the ball close and taking advantage of the outstanding greens.

His good play also helped lift Matteson's mind set, even when he bogeyed the final hole and had to go to a playoff.

"I thought, at least I've got enough money to keep my card, so that's settled," Matteson said. "And, besides, if you'd told me on Tuesday that I'd have a chance to win the tournament, I would not have believed it. It's amazing how fast golf changes."

Matteson has that Frys.com Open mojo. He won it on the second extra hole after nailing his approach to within two feet for a gimme birdie. It's the second time he has won the tournament, even though the first time, the event was played in Las Vegas. After that victory, he and wife Shauna celebrated by dropping a few dimes at Frys, replacing a couple of "ancient TVs" and buying a refrigerator.

No big screens this year. The Mattesons will be using their spare cash for diapers and baby formula. The couple is expecting their first child (a daughter) within a couple weeks. Because of the impending arrival, Matteson will end his season this week at the Viking Classic and pass on an invitation to the play in the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, China.

Love, set, match

Georgia Tech alum Matt Kuchar, who started the Fall Series with a victory at Turning Stone, rekindled his love for the game of tennis with his wife Sybi by winning the consolation title in the USTA National Husband/Wife Doubles Championship at the ATP Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Full Story

The victory restores Matteson back to where he was at the end of his rookie season, when he won for the first time and nearly played his way into The TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, which then came at the conclusion of the Fall Series.

It also piles up a few more points in the school pride category. Matteson is one of the Georgia Tech guys who carries the school's Yellow Jacket headcover on his driver. Matteson was the NCAA champion in 2002, one of three years he was named to the All-America team.

Matteson is the second Tech player to win in the Fall Series; Matt Kuchar won the Turning Stone Resort Championship, also in a playoff, for his second career victory. Earlier this summer. Stewart Cink won the British Open.

Matteson was also pleased to see the results of his other former teammates: Bryce Molder, who has now won $1.6 million, is No. 60 on the money list and will retain his card. Another Tech teammate, Nicholas Thompson, had an ace and a double-eagle in three holes last week in Scottsdale. He enters this week at No. 132 and still has some work to do, as does Matt Weibring, who is No. 143. David Duval is No. 125 and needs to hold his position over the final two events.

Oh, and did anyone mention that the Georgia Tech football team has lost only one time and is ranked No. 11 in the country?

In fact, the next time the guy comes out to play the bagpipes, he might not be blowing "Amazing Grace." He might be playing the "Ramblin' Wreck" fight song. That would be fine with Matteson and all the other Yellow Jackets in the PGA TOUR hive.