Hendrix battles his way to third after two rounds

BY JOHN BRASIER

Special to the Independent-Mail

MILL SPRING, N.C. — Playing in the BMW Charity Pro-Am thanks only to a sponsor’s exemption, Matt Hendrix felt a bit like an outsider.

Because he doesn’t have a Nationwide Tour player’s badge, the former Clemson standout had a little difficulty just getting into the clubhouse earlier in the week. He admits he’s felt at times like a second-class citizen on the nation’s second most-prestigious pro golf tour.

“It’s a little stressful,” admitted the 27-year-old Aiken native, who now makes him home in Greenville. “I’m tired mentally already and I have two days to go. There’s a lot of little things that are a little more difficult out here because I’m not on the tour.”

Yet, Hendrix has played like he belongs. Halfway through the 72-hole event, he’s in third place, in position to follow in the footsteps of Clemson alums Jonathan Byrd and Charles Warren, who used BMW victories as a springboard onto the PGA Tour.

Despite missing three short birdie putts on his final nine holes Friday, Hendrix shot 4-under-par 68 at Bright’s Creek Golf Club. At 11-under 133, he trails leader David Mathis by three strokes and Matt Weibring by one. Greenville resident Matt Bettencourt, who moved from California more than a year ago, is tied for fifth, five strokes off the pace.

Hendrix, who shot 65 Thursday at Carolina Country Club, is scheduled to tee off at 10:40 this morning at Thornblade Club, his home course. He’ll have friends and family — including his wife and parents — in his gallery for the third straight day. His brother Justin is his caddie.

Hendrix rolled in three short birdie putts on his first six holes — he teed off on No. 10 — then added tap-ins at Nos. 2 and 4. His biggest disappointment was missing a 2½-foot birdie putt at the par-5 fifth.

Hendrix said he’s tried to maintain the same relaxed “walk-in-the-park” attitude he has during leisurely rounds at Thornblade with former Clemson teammates Lucas Glover and Warren.

His goal is a top 25 finish, which would give him a spot in next week’s Nationwide Tour near Washington. He said he won’t let himself think about the $121,500 first prize or the new BMW X5 that comes with it.

“I might have a different attitude if I had status on the (Nationwide) tour,” he said. “My sole purpose was to relax and play like I always do. “If I look up on Sunday at the turn and I’m near to the leaders, I’ll worry about it.”

Mathis, a former Campbell University golfer who lives in Raleigh, N.C., posted 65 at Bright’s Creek to go with his opening 65 at Carolina Country Club. Brandishing a spectacular wedge game, Mathis, 34, made five birdie putts of 3 feet or less.

The 33-year-old Bettencourt moved to the Upstate to be near girlfriend Kelly Rush, whose family is from Anderson. Bettencourt shot 67 at Bright’s Creek, scrambling for a bogey with a 4-foot putt on his final hole after hitting his second shot out of bounds.

“I’m hitting the ball well,” said Bettencourt, who also plays out of Thornblade and has played all three tournament courses several times. “I only missed one fairway.”

NOTED

Hendrix is the only sponsor’s exemption with Upstate connections in contention. Brent Delahoussaye, Jay Haas Jr., Tommy Biershenk, Kevin Johnson and Danny Ellis must all move up the scoreboard to make the 54-hole cut.