38-year-old PGA Tour rookie Tommy Biershenk finds his place in 'dog eat dog' world

Tommy Biershenk’s Hawaiian business trip certainly provides an elite atmosphere beyond his past golfing ventures, but the 38-year-old Boiling Springs/Clemson product isn’t feeling much different than he has at any time in his career.

There is no pinching himself, no having to tone down the excitement of preparing for his first PGA Tour event as a full-fledged regular when he tees off in today’s Sony Open in Honolulu.

“Right now nothing feels different,” Biershenk said. “Just another year of practicing and going to work every day. I certainly feel I deserve to be here.”

Biershenk firmly believes this was his destiny all along. Why else would he have continued to try to navigate what’s been a bumpy road since turning pro in 1997 to reach his dream of playing the PGA Tour full-time?

“I think this was almost expected,” said Biershenk, who has three career PGA Tour starts. “I’ve worked so hard my whole life and my golf career has been up and down, a real roller-coaster ride. But I always knew if I just continued to work hard and stuck to my guns this was going to happen.

“This is where I feel I belong. It’s a dog eat dog world here, but I’m comfortable with it. I’m excited and ready to try and go win some golf tournaments and make a name for myself to prove to people that I belong playing with the best in the world.”

Biershenk had his best season last year, finishing 31st on the Nationwide Tour money list with $160,513. He was in the hunt almost to the end for the top 25 in earnings that would have propelled him to the PGA Tour, but a third-round 80 in the season finale ended that quest. He rebounded nicely a month later with a strong tie for fifth at the PGA Tour National Qualifying Tournament to finally realize his dream.

Biershenk had a solid three-year run on the Nationwide Tour from 1999-2001 before he lost his mojo and his status and basically had to start over at places such as the Hooters Tour and other satellite tours. At various intervals he took time away from the sport to pay the bills, dabbling in a golf cart company and doing some farming.

But with a sweet swing and some past success, there has never been any shortage of backing for Biershenk, especially from his hometown. With the support of many he slowly was able to get back on track. He eventually hooked up with coach Rickey Sullivan, director of instruction at Charleston’s Bulls Bay, and gives him a lot of credit for expanding his game.

So after 143 Nationwide Tour starts where he ranks 113th with $592,242 career earnings, Biershenk considers himself more a veteran than PGA rookie.

“I’m very comfortable on this stage,” Biershenk said. “I’ve got plenty of experience and I’m at the peak of my game right now, playing the best golf I’ve ever played. The timing couldn’t be any more perfect. I’ve finally got my status out here and I’m looking forward to making the most of it. Just have a good time, stay out of my own way and keep my emotions in check, and just go play golf like I always have.”