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Tackling the Blue Monster

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Tackling the Blue Monster

Another former FAU athelete in the news.


FAU's LeBrun ready to tackle Blue Monster, Tiger

By Ed Gray
Special correspondent
Posted March 1 2005

HOLLYWOOD ? On the drive from West Palm Beach to catch the Miami Heat-Orlando Magic game Saturday afternoon, Steve LeBrun and his brother heard the big news that Tiger Woods will play in this week's Ford Championship at Doral.

"My brother said, `Holy cow! How awesome would that be?'" LeBrun said. The answer: "really awesome."

LeBrun will join Woods in the Ford Championship field after shooting an 8-under par 64 Monday at the Club at Emerald Hills Monday to prevail over a field of 105 in one of two local open qualifying tournaments.

"I'm pretty excited. It's going to be really awesome," the former Florida Atlantic University golfer said. "But I'm going to go out there and try to win the tournament. I'm not going to be happy just to be out there."

The 26-year-old Palm Beach resident earned his first berth in a PGA Tour event with a bogey-free round while playing in the last group.

"I just about made everything," said LeBrun, who sank eight birdies while shooting 32 on each side.

His most memorable hole, however, was a par to finish the first nine at 4-under.

"The up-and-down was big on 9. I had to pitch it to a 3-foot-wide circle into a mound on the fringe and let it check up and trickle down the hill," said LeBrun, who chose to carry his bag Monday. "It ended up 2 feet away, and I made it. I think that kept me going, and then I birdied 10 and 11."

LeBrun, who won the 2002 Hooters Tour Championship Tournament and played on the Nationwide Tour last year before injuring his right shoulder, is looking forward to the challenge of playing at Doral.

"I played a junior tournament there when I was 17. I actually shot a double bogey on the 18th hole to go into a playoff, and I lost the playoff," LeBrun said. "But I have good memories of the course."

Akio Sadakata of Tampa earned the other berth at Emerald Hills, shooting a 6-under 66 after starting his morning round with a bogey on No. 10. The 25-year-old native of Osaka, Japan, made the turn at 1-under before finishing with a 31 on the front nine.

"The greens were fast, especially above the hole. It's not easy to make par from above the hole," said Sadakata, who finished a stroke clear of a group of five at 67. "If I knew enough to lay my ball below the hole, it would have been easier. I was hitting the ball above the hole all day."

Sadakata, who played on the PGA Tour in 2003 without success before playing well last year on the Golden Bear Tour, is spending this year playing in Monday qualifiers.

Rick Heath of Windermere earned a spot in the Ford field by shooting 6-under 66 in the qualifying tournament at Miccosukee Golf and Country Club. Darkness forced the suspension of a playoff for the second qualifying spot. Andrew Johnson and Curt Saarthoof, both of Orlando, remained tied after five playoff holes after shooting 67. Play resumes today at 7:30 a.m.



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Tackling the Blue Monster

I know someone that is trying to make in on tour, it's a tough process, but I hope LeBrun does well and good luck to him this weekend!!

Go Owls!!
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Tackling the Blue Monster

Steve opened with a disappointing two-over 74, although he did bounce back after going bogey, bogey, double bogey on holes 3-5.
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Tackling the Blue Monster

Tough way to start, hopefully his strong finish can carry over and help him have a better start tomorrow!!

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Tackling the Blue Monster

Looks like Steve had a rough outting and the Blue Monster won this time, but Woods and Mickelson provide a heck of a show down the strenght.
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