Daniel Summerhays is on track to become one of the most successful native Utahn golfers of all time.
On Sunday, the Farmington native and former BYU standout picked up the biggest paycheck of his career by finishing in a tie for second at the Valero Texas Open, just one shot behind winner Steven Bowditch.
Summerhays pocketed a cool $545,600 to push his earnings over the $1 million mark this season at $1,003,950, the third year in a row he has topped the $1 million level.
The 30-year-old Summerhays is still looking for his first PGA Tour victory, but he’s put himself in position to win several times with four top-10 finishes in each of the last two years. While he ranks 35th on the PGA Tour money list, he’s 29th in FedEx points, which determine certain events that PGA Tour players can participate in.
Summerhays was happy that the big paycheck secures his spot on the PGA Tour for another year, and he’s still looking to secure his first victory.
“It's always a relief once you have made enough money to keep your card, keep your job for the next year,’’ he said after his round of 70 Sunday. “I do want to win, but I'm in the position right now where I keep my card for another year, and that's a big deal for me this week, and that secures it for me. It's a blessing, and I feel really grateful.’’
Summerhays, the son of Lynn and Ann Summerhays and the nephew of longtime Champions Tour player Bruce Summerhays, attended Davis High and won his first State Amateur title as a 16-year-old in 2000. He went to BYU, where he won a Nationwide Tour event while still an amateur in 2007 and soon after turned professional. He and his wife, Emily, have three sons.
When asked what he needs to do to take the next step to win on Sunday, Summerhays said, “I honestly think you get up and down at the right time on Sunday. So I think a little bit more short game and a little bit more luck on the weekend, and I'll hopefully get my win here soon.’’
St. George native Jay Don Blake was a regular on the PGA Tour from 1987 to 2003 and had one victory in 17 years. He is now a regular on the Champions Tour.