IN FORM: Brendan Jones with his trophies after taking out the Chlorella Classic in Japan on Sunday. PHOTO: Japan Golf Tour.
BRENDAN Jones has decided the chance to play at the USPGA Championship later this month was an offer too good to refuse.
Former Tuross Head resident Jones – who qualified for the major when he surged into the top 100 by winning the Japan Tour’s Chlorella Classic on Sunday – was considering not going to South Carolina for the PGA event in order to spend more time with his family.
However, he told the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner on Wednesday that he simply couldn’t let the chance to play at another major pass him by.
“I’ve spoken with my wife about it and early on we were both (saying that) I needed a rest after what I’ve just been through, but it is a major championship, there’s only four a year and I don’t always qualify for them,” he said.
“Once you’re in them, you’ve got to play.”
Those watching the PGA Championship, which begins August 9, will notice Jones with a bandaged hand after an unfortunate kitchen incident on Wednesday.
“I almost sliced my finger off this morning,” he said.
“The (doctor) stapled it back together and it’s been wrapped up so I probably won’t be touching a club until next week now.”
Despite the mishap and feeling “a bit sore”, Jones insisted “I’ll be able to play”.
The 37-year-old admitted to feeling “knackered” after last month’s British Open, but he said he felt good before teeing off in Japan and that was reflected in his play.
His final round of 70 was enough for a two-shot victory – his second Chlorella Classic title and 12th overall win on the Japanese circuit.
“I was still on a bit of a high from The Open,” he said.
“I always had a funny feeling that I was going to be in contention on the Sunday and that’s how it panned out.”
Jones is no stranger to the PGA Championship, but he also experienced “one of the biggest disappointments of my career” at the major in 2009.
“I was only a few shots behind (eventual winner) Y.E. Yang and I blew that. Mentally, it took me six months to get over that,” he said.
“It’s a strong field there because it’s the top 100 in the world, but on my day I know I can compete, it’s just about putting it all together.”
Jones will team up with caddy Ron Levin on the Ocean Course in South Carolina.
