GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jerry Kelly raised his arms in triumph after he won last year's Sony Open by one stroke over John Cook with a 14-under-par 266.
Satisfaction occurs as easily for Jerry Kelly as it does for Mick Jagger. Kelly returns to defend title
Though he had his breakthrough here last year
The ones to watch
and added another win, he wants more
Guide to the Sony Open
The key holes
The course: Waialae Country Club
Sony has field to match Mercedes
By Paul Arnett
parnett@starbulletin.comAfter a stellar season for the defending champion of this week's Sony Open in Hawaii, you might think Kelly, one of 18 first-time winners on the PGA Tour in 2002, would spend these two weeks basking in the sun.
But you'd be wrong.The drive to succeed for this 36-year-old from Madison, Wis., is as clear as an accountant's spread sheet. Since 1997, Kelly has steadily climbed the tour's money list and is one of only four golfers to earn more cash each succeeding season in that five-year span.
Kelly won twice last year on tour, one of only eight pros to sink that putt, including Tiger Woods, the man Kelly would like to overtake some day. Pretty bold talk for a former hockey player? Perhaps.
But it's this outlook that drove Kelly to the Mercedes Championships for the first of what he hopes is many times. True, Woods is on another level, yet it's one Kelly would like to visit as often as possible.
"I want to finish first on the money list. To do that you have to play your best every time you're out here," Kelly said. "That's always a goal of mine, to play my best. You don't always achieve it. But you have to strive for that.
"I feel really good right now. I'm excited to be here in Hawaii and I'm excited about defending my title next week. The Sony Open will always be special for me. You never forget where you're first victory was or how you felt after getting it."
Unlike many first-time winners in their mid-30s, Kelly was no one-hit wonder. He went on to finish fifth at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic the following week en route to surviving 21 cuts in 29 events.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
One of Jerry Kelly's goals is to top the PGA Tour money list. With his first two career wins in 2002, he finished sixth with nearly $3 million.
Some would say that's too many tours of duty in the course of one season. But not Kelly. Since turning pro in 1996, the No. 6 PGA money winner with $2.95 million last year has played in 223 events, with No. 224 coming this week on Oahu.
He made the cut 135 times, counting the profitable Mercedes, where the last-place finisher still earns $51,000. In fact, last year was the first time he didn't play in at least 30 tournaments.
Some would say this hectic pace caught up with him last summer. After winning the Advil Western Open, Kelly was hospitalized for dehydration. He recognizes something has to be done. He's down to 28 tournaments this year, but like a gambler who can't quit, whether winning or losing, Kelly can't guarantee that number won't climb.
"What can I say, I love to play golf," Kelly said, then smiled. "The problem is, if I'm struggling I want to figure out what's wrong. When I'm playing well, I don't want to lose that feeling."
Kelly said he wanted to get off to a good start here on Maui, and that's exactly what he has done. He opened with a blistering 65 on Thursday and is tied for fourth place entering today's final round. At 17-under, he trails Ernie Els by eight strokes.
Not that Kelly is putting all his golf balls in this two-week swing. What he knows he needs to do most to be considered one of golf's elite is to compete better in the major championships.
Last year, he finished in a tie for 20th at the Masters and a tie for 28th at the British Open. He didn't survive the cut at the U.S. Open or the PGA Championship. But if Woods is to be within Kelly's sights, he must garner a top-10 finish or two when all the big boys are prowling the course.
"To me, you have to putt well to be a consistent contender," Kelly said. "I felt like I putted better two years ago, so that's something I've been working on to improve. You have to keep improving out here or you die.
"I'd love to be in the hunt on Sunday for a major championship. That's really what it's all about out here. If I can continue to get better and if I can put myself in the position to compete, then you never know what can happen."
Sony Open
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The Ones to Watch
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sergio Garcia: His best finish in 2002 was first at the Mercedes Championships. He ranked fourth in total driving on the PGA Tour.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Retief Goosen: His PGA Tour victories included the 2001 U.S. Open Championship and the 2002 BellSouth Classic.
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Ernie Els: Finished first on the PGA Tour twice in 2002. Has won three majors, including the U.S. Open twice and the British last year.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Charles Howell III: Won the Michelob Championship at Kingsmill last year. He ranked first in total driving.
Source: PGA.com
