LA QUINTA (Calif.) – Dylan Wu is not afraid to be a substitute. The Northwestern alum was selected as an alternate in the Korn Ferry Tour Memorial Health Championship presented to LRS four years ago. He then finished second. This changed his season, and eventually he was able to start his quest for a PGA TOUR card. Wu is now living an alternate life and he was No. 150 in the FedExCup last season, which is conditional status. Wu spent a lot time monitoring field lists to check where he stands. The American Express was not kind to him. Wu was able to take his place in the field after Kyle Stanley pulled out. He took advantage of the opportunity. Wu shot 11-under 61 on Saturday’s third round. This was a match for a tournament-low score at PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course. He tied for ninth at 17 under total. The event will feature a three-course rotation that also includes PGA West’s Stadium Course, and La Quinta CC. Sunday’s final round is at the Stadium Course. Wu knew magic could make a difference this week, so he entered Saturday’s third rounds tied for 59th. After six consecutive birdies on Saturday’s back nine, Wu was six strokes behind his co-leaders Jon Rahm & Davis Thompson as he entered Sunday. Wu will have a chance to win a title, and, more importantly, a chance to earn a lot of FedExCup points that will improve his standing for the remainder of the year. Wu is aware Saturday could be a turning point in his career. It’s not lost on him. Sunday could also be a fork-in-the-road moment in Wu’s career. Wu stated after Saturday’s third round at the Coachella Valley, “I thought that I wouldn’t be able to get into (the Sony Open) Hawaii or The American Express.” “And there is no Monday qualifier. I got into Hawaii but missed the cut by one… that was very frustrating. You have to take advantage of these opportunities, and accept the fact that you may be the first alternate on Thursday if someone withdraws. Wu thought of 59 after moving to 11-under through 16 hole Saturday. Two-putted for par at par-3 eighth. This meant that he would need to eagle the 461-yard par-4 finisher to reach golf’s magic number. Wu’s tee shot was left of the fairway by his adrenaline rush. He wasn’t sure he could get there. He quickly recovered and drained the curling putt. He has plenty of work ahead, even though it’s his lowest career score on the PGA TOUR. Justin Lower, a fellow TOUR pro and Wu’s teammate at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last year, greeted Wu on the final green. The duo finished T10. Wu stated, “I told others that one of my goals for this year was to have a later Sunday tee-time.” Being in the mix and being among the top 10 is what every golfer dreams of. It’s been awhile since I did that. It’s something I know I can do. You just need to keep working hard. I know there are many birdies to make.” He proved it with 11 birdies Saturday.
By: Kevin Prise
Title: Early-week alternate Dylan Wu making magic at The American Express
Sourced From: www.pgatour.com/news/2023/01/21/early-week-alternate-dylan-wu-making-magic-at-the-american-express.html
Published Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2023 16:00:00 -0500
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