By Herschel Caldwell
SANTA ANA, CA – January 26, 2009 – Hard work and dedication paid off for Pat Perez as he earned his first PGA TOUR victory at the 50th Bob Hope Classic.
Perez has been working with Coach Joey D, one of the elite biomechanics, strength and conditioning coaches on the PGA Tour and using GolfGym training products for the past year as part of his golf fitness program.
After setting a record pace during the first three rounds of the tournament,
Perez landed in second place after the fourth round and came from three
strokes off the pace in the final round to claim his victory. Perez, who
eagled the last hole with a three-foot putt, shot a 69 in swirling 30-mph
winds during his final round.
“I am extremely happy to see Pat capture his first PGA TOUR title. He has
diligently worked on his game and on improving his strength and conditioning
during the off-season and his dedication and hard work have finally paid
off,” said Joey. “One of the key components of his strength and conditioning
routine has included using GolfGym training products because of their
effectiveness in achieving a high level of golf fitness. I use GolfGym
products every day with all the PGA TOUR players I coach.”
The elusive first win doesn’t come as much of a surprise, Perez said,
because he worked harder this off-season than at any time in his career. “I
usually just screw around and play and have some drinks or whatever, but
this time it was serious,” Perez said. “I got to a point in my career, seven
years now, that I was just tired of being average. I was tired of being
nobody. I know that I can play and I want to play.”
Perez finished at 33-under 327 and earned $918,000. Tom Pernice, Jr., who is
also working with Coach Joey D finished tied for ninth, carding a 26-under
334 and earning $127,500.
Joey D has been a coach on the PGA Tour for over 10 years and is one of the
most highly respected and sought after biomechanics and strength and
conditioning coaches on Tour. He coached Vijay Singh and traveled with him
to all the tournaments for seven years and for one year performed double
duty as his caddy. That happened to be the year that Vijay set the record
for most money earned in one season on the PGA Tour.