Flesch-ing out former UK star’s hot streak

Two weekends ago Covington Catholic hosted the Steve Flesch Invitational, a high school golf tournament named in honor of the Colonels’ most famous alum.

Last weekend Flesch turned the PGA Tour’s Turning Stone Resort Championship into his own invitational, going 19-under through three rounds to run away from the field in New York. He shot a 73 on Sunday and cruised to a 2-shot win and pocketed $1.08 million. It was Flesch’s second win on tour in six weeks. He won the Reno-Tahoe Open in early August.

How to explain the former UK star’s hot streak? What about the Fed Ex Cup? Tiger Woods? Next year’s Ryder Cup in Louisville? We caught up with Flesch a few days ago, after he returned home to Union, Ky., and got a few answers:

On why he’s played so well lately:

Flesch said it “boils down simply to equipment,” most notably the ball he plays. He walked away from a “nice chunk of change” contract with Titleist because it kept taking spin off its ball, which adversely affected Flesch’s iron play. “I got gunshy because I didn’t know how far I was going to hit the ball,” he said. After trying just about every ball on the market, he finally settled on Srixon. He also got a new set of Cleveland irons that he’s more comfortable with.

Was he happy to know his two wins this year earned him an exemption into the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines just outside San Diego?

Not really. “It’s kind of funny. Of all places, Torrey Pines. I skip the tournament (Buick Invitational) there every year because I can’t stand the course. I wasn’t even planning on trying to qualify (for the U.S. Open) next year because it’s there. I’ll play in it now that I’m in. But of all the majors next year, that’s the one I didn’t care to play.

Would it be nice to play in the Ryder Cup at Valhalla in Louisville next September?

“That would be fantastic,” Flesch said. “I couldn’t think of a better place to play in my first Ryder Cup than at Valhalla, although it’d be tremendous pressure. When I played the PGA there in 2000 (and missed the cut), I felt like I had the weight of the state on my shoulders.”

What about the debut season of the Fed Ex Cup? You just missed qualifying for the next-to-last tournament in Chicago?

“It was a bummer to miss out on Chicago because I always like playing Cog Hill. But basically it was due to my poor play most of the year. I didn’t do myself any favors.

As for the overall impression of the Fed Ex Cup, Flesch said, “We’ve already got four majors and the Players Championship, and some players think we’re oversaturated. How many big events can you have?”

Tiger Woods had another incredible year. Is the best golfer ever?

“I think he’s the best because he has all the facets of all the best players in history wrapped up in his game. He has the charisma of (Arnold) Palmer. The mind of (Jack) Nicklaus. The ball-striking of (Ben) Hogan. The putting of Bobby Locke, one of the best putters of all time. Plus, Tiger has laid out the blueprint for junior golfers, who have aspirations of playing on tour. Credit Tiger and his father. They never made a bad decision along the way.”

Flesch has had friend and former University of Louisville golfer Billy Lewis as his caddy for the last year. It must be comfortable having a buddy on the bag.

“Last year I was playing cruddy, so I asked Billy if he’d come out and caddy for a couple weeks. He’s been with me since. It’s been nice, although the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry keeps it interesting. He’s been down in the dumps the way (U of L’s) football team has been playing.”

After his recent wins, Flesch has three more years of exempt play on the PGA Tour. He also hopes to work some for The Golf Channel, maybe preparing for more time as a TV golf analyst/commentator.

“I’d like to play and do a little TV. I really enjoy it. I have a good rapport with the people (on TGC). I think that’s something in my future.”

And what’s it like to know CovCath has a Steve Flesch Invitational?

“I turned 40 (in May). You know you’re getting old when they name a tournament after you.”