Peter Uihlein is looking forward to more time at home after securing his PGA Tour card for next season.
After graduating from Oklahoma State University, Uihlein took the road less travelled to the PGA Tour. Instead of remaining in the States and pursuing status on the Web.com Tour, he opted to cut his teeth on the European Challenge Tour.
Following a solid rookie season on the Challenge Tour in which he finished 26th, Uihlein was granted entry into the 2013 Madeira Islands Open on the European Tour. The American took full advantage as he captured his maiden professional victory. The win not only earned Uihlein his European Tour playing privileges but also helped him finish a more than respectable 14th on the Race to Dubai.
Uihlein’s love for travel and experiencing new destinations took him to 20 different countries in 2015. Despite this, he didn’t consider establishing a permanent base in Europe. Instead he chose to play a few weeks in a row before flying home to Florida for a week or two.
For his first few seasons on Tour, Uihlein had no qualms about his unique situation and embraced the tour pro lifestyle.
After winning the first event of the Web.com playoffs on Sunday, however, Uihlein conceded that the novelty of life in Europe had worn off.
He remarked that spending the Sunday of the Houston Open at home left him yearning for the convenience of life on the PGA Tour.
‘Yeah, this is the first year I’ve really, really wanted it. First time in my professional career I was home on a Sunday night after playing on a Sunday. Never once have I done that,’ Uihlein told Golf Digest
‘You kind of like to sit back and be like that’s pretty convenient. Boys are doing it all the time. That kind of hit home a little bit.
‘So, I was like, I really kind of want to at least get my PGA Tour card so I can have moments like that when I can spend a little time at home with my girlfriend and two dogs.’
The win leaves the former US Amateur champion with a bit of a schedule poser for the remainder of 2017. Uihlein will have to decide whether to stick to his current schedule and play the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship [as planned] in Scotland before competing in the Italian Open.
On the other hand, he may remain in the States to play the remaining playoff events and imprve his category for next season.
An improved category will give Uihlein the freedom to spend time competing on both sides of the Atlantic while remaining fresh and ready to compete for golf’s biggest tournaments.
Who knows, maybe the extra time spent at home will help Uihlein join former roommate Brooks Koepka as a major champion.
Photo: Michael Cohen/Getty Images
Free Drop Media 