Bowditch back in the big time

Jan. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Australian golfer Steve Bowditch, whose favorite clubs are Taylormade R9 Forged Irons, will make his first PGA Tour appearance for some four years on Thursday when he tees it up at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
It will mark quite a turnaround for the Australian golfer who attempted to take his own life five years ago whilst suffering with depression.
The 27-year-old's last full season on the PGA Tour in 2006 saw him disqualified no fewer than four times and survive only two cuts all year.
But those disastrous results paled into insignificance compared to Bowditch's problems away from the course at that time, with heavy drinking eventually pushing him to a suicide attempt.
A magazine article two years ago told the story of the time he did not sleep for 12 nights, drank a bottle of whisky, put on all his heaviest clothes and tried to drown himself in the pool at his Dallas home.
Fortunately he was discovered by his then girlfriend who resuscitated him and got him to hospital, allowing him to fight back from the lowest point of his life.
Reflecting on that period, Bowditch said: "I would start (drinking) at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, go all the way until 5 o'clock in the morning and tee it up in the tournament at 7 o'clock.
"That went on for six weeks. That was my only escape from the person that I was."
As his treatment continued following his hospital release, the PGA Tour granted Bowditch a medical exemption for the start of the 2007 season.
To keep his card he had to win nearly $650,000 in five events and he subsequently missed the cut in four and pulled out of the other.
Winning biggest battle
However, while his career on the course took a nosedive, Bowditch was winning a more important challenge as he undertook a programme back in his native Australia to help him conquer his depression.
Having finally admitted he had a problem, he saw light at the end of the tunnel when he eventually felt able to talk about his difficulties.
"As a man it is not considered 'tough' to admit you have a mental problem," he continued. "But as soon as you sit down and talk about it with someone, it is a great weight off your shoulders.
"I want people to know that depression is common and the sooner you get the right treatment the sooner you're on the road to recovery.
"You shouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. It can happen to anyone. If you think you may be depressed, even if you're not sure, talk to a doctor."
Three years ago Bowditch made only two of 16 cuts on the "second division" Nationwide Tour in the States and earned less than $4,000.
But in 2009 he had two top-10 finishes and last season a victory and winnings of over 250,000 gave him another shot at the big time.
In Honolulu this week he lines up against a field that includes Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Justin Rose.

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