Sweden’s Jonas Blixt will look to kickstart his bid for a Ryder Cup place when the new PGA Tour season gets under way in California just four days after the previous season ended.
The Presidents Cup, which ended in another win for the United States on Sunday, officially marked the end of the 2013 season, but the new “wraparound” 2013-2014 campaign starts straight away, with Blixt defending his title in the Frys.com Open, one of six events to be played this year.
“It was a boost to my career to win the Fry’s tournament last year, it bolstered my confidence and helped me play better on the Tour this season,” said Blixt, who finished second in the Nordea Masters in June and won his second PGA Tour title at the Greenbrier Classic the following month.
“It was a huge milestone to get the first PGA win and to do it in such a beautiful place as Corde Valle, it was fantastic. The golf course sets up great for my game.
“The greens are rolling, you get really good speed and there’s nothing tricky with the Bermuda (grass) or anything. Sometimes the course just really fits your eye.”
Blixt’s most eye-catching performance came in the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill in August, where he played alongside fellow Swede Henrik Stenson in the penultimate pairing in the final round, eventually finishing fourth.
The 29-year-old was also paired with Lee Westwood in the third round and quizzed the Englishman about Ryder Cup qualifying before being involved in a bizarre incident on the 18th.
His wayward drive finished in the back trouser pocket of a spectator and, after a light-hearted debate about who should remove it, Blixt was given a free drop and hit a 205-yard five-iron to three feet for a birdie.
“He asked what the qualifications are for being a European Tour member,” Westwood said. “I said, ‘You want to join because if you don’t you can’t be in the Ryder Cup team’.
“The way he played he would be a valuable member.”