The Quad-City Times - News, Sports and more from the Quad Cities region or Iowa and Illinois

You are not logged in.
Login

Log in to qctimes.com
Email:
Password:
Remember my information.
Register
Quadsville
Site Help

Rookie Adamonis takes positive approach

Font Size:

By Nate Taylor | Saturday, July 12, 2008 |

Before entering the John Deere Classic, Brad Adamonis didn’t care about anybody but himself.

He wasn’t going to look at the leaderboard; he didn’t care how people pronounced his last name — it’s Ad-am-ON-is, by the way — or think about things outside of golf such as tournament leader Will MacKenzie.

He was just going to have fun.

“It feels great,” he said. “My expectations really haven’t changed. I’m trying to get in the British Open.”

Playing for a spot in the British Open can be fun, and Adamonis is making the most of his opportunity. After another 5-under-par round of 66 Friday, Adamonis is three strokes behind MacKenzie.

It’s not like the 35-year-old PGA Tour rookie doesn’t know what he’s getting into. He is perhaps two more good days from winning his first PGA Tour event. Yet, he seems relaxed even though his brother, Dave, told him to go all out during phone calls in the week before the event at TPC Deere Run.

“He’s always been there for me,” Brad said about his brother. “Last week he said, ‘Why don’t you just go for your shots and not worry so much?’ He told me, ‘You have nothing to lose.’ ”

But it’s not been that easy for the native from Cumberland, R.I.

Actually, he has a lot on his mind. His father, Dave Sr., who introduced his son to golf and coaches the sport at Johnson and Wales University, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005.

Also, Brad withdrew from the PODS Championship March 9 because of vertigo, so life on the PGA Tour has been more difficult. His case with the disorder that causes dizziness, unsteadiness and nausea has made him think twice about his opportunities to continue playing golf.

“You really never know when it’s going to happen,” he said. “It hits you, and I can’t really do anything for 2 or 5 minutes.”

So as Brad prepares for the final two rounds, he said he’s ready to think positive no matter what happens. His wife is helping out by providing distractions between rounds.

Friday’s distraction was going to the zoo.

“I think having distractions for him right now is a good thing,” his wife, Stacy, said. “I want him to play with the kids, and get away from thinking about golf.

“Coming in, I knew he really wanted go to the British Open. Instead of him saying ‘I hope I do well,’ he said, ‘I am going to do well.’ ”

With a message like that, Brad said he anticipates a flight to the British Open after a win at the John Deere Classic.

“I’m trying to improve my game by rewarding myself,” he said. “When you hit a good shot or have a good round, reward yourself.”

Nate Taylor can be contacted at (563) 383-2477 or ntaylor@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.