Paul Claxton has a stock answer when asked about being ranked second in career earnings on the Nationwide Tour.
“I tell people that’s nice, but I’ve spent a lot more then I’ve earned through the years,” said the 44-year-old former Georgia golfer who has made just over $1.6 million on the Nationwide Tour, second only to Darron Stiles.
Feeling as good as ever physically and having a great off-season thanks to a mild winter in the south, Claxton is thrilled with his early flurry of good play. Heading into this week’s Soboba Classic in San Jacinto, Calif. Claxton is fifth on the money list.
The four players in front of him have all had victories this season and Claxton, who has two career wins on the Nationwide Tour, is getting closer.
“Golf is a game that has no finish line,” Claxton said about being one of the older players on the Nationwide Tour. “You can play as long as you want and I guess I kind of fall into that category out here.”
In four tournaments Claxton has a tie for 13th, a tie for 51st, a second-place finish and a tie for third. His back-to-back top-five showings mean he’s one of the hottest players on tour.
“It’s a good start for me, but I know we’ve got a long way to go,” said Claxton, who has logged 12 seasons on the Nationwide Tour since turning pro in 1993.
Claxton has also played four seasons on the PGA TOUR with the last one coming in 2008.
As a veteran of the Nationwide Tour he jokes that he knows all the best spots to eat in most cities and knows the golf courses very well. That’s nice knowledge to have but as he approaches his mid-40s he can’t help but think about giving the PGA TOUR another try.
“Oh sure that’s on my mind,” Claxton said about getting is PGA TOUR card for next season. “That’s everybody’s goal out here is to get to the PGA TOUR and as long as I’m physically able to play I’ll keep going because this is all I know.”
Claxton and his wife of 11 years, Paula, and their two children recently moved to Claxton, Ga. where Paula’s family owns one of Claxton’s landmark businesses. A bakery called the Claxton Fruit Cake (www.claxtonfruitcake.com) is a family-run business that’s been around since 1910.
Paul Parker, who is Paula’s father, says that his son-in-law’s good play isn’t a surprise.
“We’re all excited how Paul has played so far,” Parker said. “He’s always been a grinder out there but he keeps the same even keel no matter what and I think that only helps him.”
One of the benefits Claxton had this winter was plenty of time to work on his game. He said it was probably the mildest winter he’s seen since he turned pro.
“I really had no excuses not to work on my game and play a lot,” Claxton said.
One area that Claxton has excelled in is his short game. He heads into this week’s tournament ranked fourth on the Nationwide Tour in scrambling.
“So far I’ve kind of been real solid in all parts of my game and I’m not really doing anything great,” Claxton said.
Throughout his time on the Nationwide Tour, where he has played in 371 tournaments and has made 229 cuts, Claxton has seen the tour evolve. Purses are better, the competition is better and Claxton says you can’t let up at all during 72 holes or you are left behind.
“There’s a big difference from even when I first got out here,” Claxton said. “There are so many more international players because the game is so global now. And with the Nationwide Tour you have former PGA TOUR players, former Ryder Cup players and a good mix of the up-and-coming young guys.”
Claxton, who had a win in 2001 and 2007 on the Nationwide Tour, said finishing in the top 10 is the key to any season. He already has two top-10s in four tournaments and knows he needs to keep going in that direction.
“You really have to place in the top 10 to get the big money and, of course, that helps you as the money list talk starts toward the end of the season,” Claxton said.
Until then, Claxton says he won’t change much and is intent on keeping his foot on the gas.
Last season Claxton had 11 top 25 finishes and ranked 40th on the money list at the end of the season.
One of the reasons the family moved from Sea Island, Georgia to Claxton was so Claxton’s wife could help with the family business. Claxton, however, said if he didn’t play golf for a living he’s not sure he would be able to help in the bakery.
“No, I can’t cook,” Claxton said. “So I need to keep playing golf.”
John Dell has covered golf for the Winston-Salem Journal in North Carolina for the last 18 years. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR. You can reach him at johndell@triad.rr.com.
Article source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/golf/SIG=12el8ds8m/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/pga/news?slug=pgatour_com-insider.claxton-20120404
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