The Opelika-Auburn News • August 18, 2013 1 Congratulations to PGA Championship Winner

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rolex oyster perpetual and submariner are trademarks. 2 The Opelika-Auburn News • August 18, 2013 Dufner’s evolution turns him into PGA champion

By Ryan Wood center. Dufner’s drive went right, rolling [email protected] behind a tree. Most players would’ve laid up and lived Editor’s note: This story was fi rst published for another shot. in the June 14, 2012 edition of the Opelika- Dufner grabbed a 9 iron out of his bag Jason Dufner holds the Wanamaker from the PGA Championship as him and Mike Griffi n, Auburn News. and aimed over the tree, directly at the fl ag. former coach, look at his name last Sunday at the Auburn Airport. Dufner shot 10-under to “They were looking at me like, ‘Coach, win the PGA Championship in Rochester N.Y. (Albert Cesare/Opelika-Auburn News) is he?’” Griffi n said, referring to Dufner’s Jason Dufner had never played a Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday win, it’s called gutsy. If you lose, it’s called teammates. “And I’m just sitting there competitive golf round with his Auburn afternoon, almost 2,500 miles from The stupidity.” because I see this all the time. I said, ‘Guys, University teammates. Olympic Club in San Francisco where *** that’s Jason.’” They couldn’t grasp his daredevil Dufner will tee off at 3:47 p.m. (Central time) Dufner has won a lot lately. Griffi n didn’t try to stop Dufner, not that confi dence. They didn’t understand how he Thursday in the fi rst round of in the U.S. His fi rst PGA Tour victory was in late it would’ve mattered. By the time everyone teetered between what coach Mike Griffi n Open, the former Auburn men’s golf coach April at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans realized what was happening, he was ready to called “gutsy and stupid.” talked for an hour about his star pupil. when he birdied a 25-foot putt on the fi nal swing. “I would come in after rounds, we’d Griffi n knows Dufner’s emotionless hole. It was a major breakthrough for a player “He fi red it right at that tree, and it be sitting at dinner and I’d try to explain to demeanor gets a lot of credit for his success, who had been considered the best without a rattles around in there for about 30 seconds some of these other guys what Jason did,” as it should. In a sport of ups and downs, Tour win, and when he returned to his home and comes right back down at his feet,” said Griffi n, since retired. “And they’d go, there’s something to be said about being even in Auburn the trees on Toomer’s Corner were Griffi n said. “Like he never moved it.” ‘Oh, Coach, there’s no way in the world Jason keel. Usually, Dufner reacts to a birdie and already rolled. Like the scene from Tin Cup, Dufner would try that. He knows better.’” bogey like it’s the same. The key, Dufner said, was to not be lined up the shot again. This time, in one Which is why Griffi n anticipated the But Dufner has shot up to No. 9 in satisfi ed with one success. of the most remarkable approaches of Perry Maxwell Tournament in Ardmore, the world golf rankings with more than “Just because I won the event in Zurich, his Auburn career, the walk-on from Ft. Okla. An otherwise typical experience, the blank expressions. He has poise and moxie, I didn’t feel like it was, ‘OK, I’ve arrived and Lauderdale, Fla., cleared the tree and landed unique format grouped all fi ve teammates confi dence he can make every shot. As one I can take it easy a little bit,’” Dufner said. “I his golf ball 5 feet from the hole. together. of the world’s best players without a major just felt like I was going to continue to play Instead of bogey, Dufner saved par. For the fi rst time, teammates could see championship tries to shed that distinction some good golf and give myself some more Teammates looked at him, then at their coach’s stories unfold on the course. this week, his college coach reminded that chances to win some events.” Griffi n. The moment came on the ninth hole at his evolution from walk-on to world’s top 10 He did that, winning again two weeks “Guys,” the coach told them, “that’s Jason.” Dornick Hills Country Club, a dogleg right began in Auburn. later at the HP Byron Nelson Championship going 150 yards uphill toward the clubhouse. *** “Now, you can call it stupid, or you can and following with a runner-up fi nish at Sitting in his offi ce at Beard-Eaves The correct shot was to the fairway’s left or call it gutsy. Either way,” Griffi n said. “If you Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, almost See CHAMPION Page 3 Congratulations Jason Dufner!

We’re ALWAYS proud of you! Your friends & family from the City of Opelika The Opelika-Auburn News • August 18, 2013 3 CHAMPION from Page 2 becoming the fi rst golfer to win consecutive That’s Jason. And he thinks the reason Auburn’s their shoulder. From then on, he decided to PGA events since in 2008. *** community rallies around Dufner is simple. “let Jason be Jason.” He hasn’t entered a tournament since, Auburn chooses its own. Always has. “He wants to be involved in the community, To get Dufner’s best, Griffi n thought he setting aside two weeks to spend with his new With one of the nation’s most competitive and he wants to be involved with Auburn,” needed to avoid hard lessons. bride, Amanda. The two married May 5 at the recruiting programs in several sports, the Green said. “A lot of times - and I’m not *** Fountainview Mansion in Auburn. Tigers have always had that luxury. Griffi n talking about Auburn - but a lot of times Griffi n struggled to sleep the night of the “I think she’s really good for him,” thinks that makes Dufner special. In the you’ll see a successful athlete not as involved collapse. Griffi n said. “His golf game has grown since beginning, he admitted, Auburn didn’t choose in the community he grew up or went For six hours that Sunday, he walked he met her. She’s been very good for him.” Dufner. As a walk-on, he chose Auburn. through. And the thing I do admire about with Dufner through the fi nal round of the Dufner planned to prepare for the U.S. “I’m tickled to death that they’re living Jason is he does those things, and I appreciate 2011 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Open during the past week with at least one in Auburn,” Griffi n said of Dufner and his him doing that.” Club. Both were ready to celebrate. practice round each day at Olympic, a course wife. “Jason could’ve picked any place in the Griffi n said these personal interactions When a four-stroke lead evaporated, he’d never played before. world to live, but he’s in Auburn, Alabama. used to be unlikely. It’s something he tried to leading to a runner-up fi nish to Keegan He went into lockdown mode, avoiding That tells me a lot about what he learned pull out of him in college. Bradley in a three-hole playoff, Griffi n feared distractions. Agent Ben Walter said he while he was here in Auburn. He learned to When Dufner was a freshman, his skill the worst. decided to forego interviews leading up to be very comfortable here.” immediately showed. But the Tigers had a “I was concerned about him,” Griffi n the Open, but he chatted with the Opelika- Twelve years after graduating, Dufner talented senior, Jay Hobby, who handled said. “Because that’s the kind of gut punch Auburn News since it’s the local newspaper. has yet to leave. He doesn’t just live here. He leadership duties. When Hobby left, the that can hurt your career if it goes the wrong In an inconsistent sport, Dufner learned not immersed himself in the culture, breathing responsibility fell to Dufner. way.” to make predictions long ago. But he said he’s Auburn football. He didn’t fi ll the role the same Shortly after dawn the next morning, playing his best golf at the right time, entering After a good fi nish at a major last year, way, wouldn’t grab his teammates and Griffi n sent Dufner another one of those what he called as the most important major. former offensive coordinator and golf nut authoritatively drag them around the course, long and detailed texts. Expecting sadness, he “I’ve had some validation for the all the Gus Malzahn invited him to the football demanding excellence. offered support. hard work I’ve put in,” Dufner said. “I’ve had offi ces. When Dufner got there, he was After one mediocre practice at Dufner felt the opposite, gushing about a lot of close calls over the years, so it was greeted by the entire team. Saugahatchee Country Club, Dufner was his good fi nish. For him, the second-place nice to play some good golf, and not just get After successful tournaments, Dufner “lollygagging.” fi nish was evidence he could someday win a rewarded with good golf but to actually get has also gotten congratulatory calls from Bo “He wasn’t portraying the message major. some tournaments under my belt. I believe Jackson and Charles Barkley. I thought he should be at the moment,” “To come so close in that, that kind of that will carry some confi dence.” Those who know Dufner are quick to Griffi n said. “What it was about, I don’t really validated in my mind that I could play at a For Dufner, that’s as bold as statements point out he gives as much as he gets. remember. But I know the young guys were high level,” Dufner said. get. Flamboyant has never been his style. He’s When the men’s golf team traveled last watching him, and what he was doing I didn’t “It gave me a lot of confi dence going into stoic, quiet and reserved, the last person in month to Riviera Country Club in California want to be seen from the team’s leader.” this year, defi nitely.” the room to strike up conversation. for the NCAA Championship, Dufner spent Griffi n had enough. In what he said was Now, his confi dence is in full swing. He Griffi n sees this all the time. Naturally the afternoon showing players the course the only confrontation the two ever had, he broke through on the PGA Tour, plastered the opposite, Griffi n will often take his and sharing suggestions. Giving advice is a approached Dufner and didn’t hold back. tangible awards to his resume. time crafting long and detailed texts frequent practice. “I remember the gal that was the In his mind, Griffi n said, Dufner has complimenting Dufner only to get a one- Moore’s Mill golf pro Jimmy Green lifeguard, her eyes got real big when I started already won a major. At least he didn’t lose worded response - “Thanks.” said there’s an unwritten rule in golf - the talking to Jason,” Griffi n said. one in regulation. “Sometimes he’ll get really wordy,” older generation’s job is to pave the way for Griffi n said he learned more from Certain things are required to be the Griffi n said. “He’ll text back two words, whoever comes next. Green, a former Auburn Dufner in the situation than he taught him. one standing in fi rst place after 72 holes - ‘Thanks, Coach.’ When he texts a full golfer himself, said he’s seen Dufner work Some players require a “swift kick in the butt,” patience, confi dence, rising to the moment sentence, I know he’s really in a good mood.” with junior players many times. Griffi n said, while others need an arm around - and Dufner has done them.

Alabama Power congratulates Auburn University graduate Jason Dufner on winning the 2013 PGA Championship.

© 2013 Alabama Power Company 4 The Opelika-Auburn News • August 18, 2013 PGA golfer Dufner, wife fund food program for youth Elementary, as well as Carver Primary The Dufners and The Jason Dufner packing several bags of food for students By Kristen Oliver School in Opelika. Charitable Foundation partnered with at the school. [email protected] “Amanda is involved in the Tour students at Auburn University involved Jason and Amanda Dufner answered Wives Association on the PGA Tour,” in Campus Kitchens, a student-run questions from Yarbrough students Editor’s note: This story was fi rst published Jason said. “One of the programs they hunger-fi ghting organization that Tuesday raning from how he came up in the April 30, 2013 edition of the work with a good deal around the repurposes unused food from campus with “Dufnering” - a unique way of Opelika-Auburn News. different cities is the Blessings in a dining facilities into new meals served to sitting on the fl oor against a wall that has Backpack organization. Amanda felt it the hungry in the Auburn-Opelika area. become an Internet sensation - to what Jason Dufner, PGA and former would be a great fi t for the foundation “I don’t think people realize that right he loves about Auburn. Auburn University golfer, and his wife, we started in 2010.” here in Lee County, beyond our little “I think the neat thing about Auburn Amanda, visited Auburn’s Yarbrough Jason said it was important to him section of Auburn University, there are is just kind of the family atmosphere you Elementary School Tuesday to talk to and Amanda that they give back in their people who really need help,” said Emily have,” he said. “Everybody’s real close and students about their new partnership, own community as Auburn residents. Scammell, president and co-founder there’s a lot of ties to Auburn University. Blessings in a Backpack. “It’s good to help out these kids in of Campus Kitchens. “Having Auburn I go all around the world, and my wife program targets childhood hunger by the program who aren’t as lucky as a students connect with the community in can attest to this, I’m constantly getting providing food for students who don’t lot of us are,” he told students Tuesday. that way is really awesome.” people saying ‘War Eagle’ or saying that have enough to eat at home. “They need the help on the weekends Scammell and other Auburn they went to Auburn and they are proud “They get lunch and maybe breakfast to feel nourished and come back on volunteers joined the Dufners Tuesday in of me.” at school and then over the weekend, we Monday and be ready to go learn and do give them food to take home to make exciting things here at school. It’s good sure they have food to eat on Saturdays to give back and help those who need and Sundays as well,” said Beth Sedgwick the help. That’s what me and my wife, from Blessings in a Backpack’s national Amanda, decided to do in the school offi ces. system here in Auburn.” Sedgwick said the program runs Jason also said they hope to expand every weekend for approximately 38 to other schools in Lee County as well. weeks in the school year. On Fridays, “We have two schools up and going now teachers discreetly place bags of food in in Lee County and are looking forward to the backpacks of pre-selected students in adding many of the schools in the area,” need. he said. “I’d love to see all the elementary The Dufners, who chose hunger schools here in Lee County be taken care as one of the major initiatives for of, all the kids here be taken care of, and their charitable foundation, donated then maybe expand to some of the other Amanda Dufner hands Danielle Wilborn, 16, a cup of milk while helping serve children lunch three years of funding for Blessings in counties around us and get the program with her husband Jason Dufner, a pro golfer, at the Summer Food Services Program at Greater a Backpack to operate at Yarbrough as big as we can here in East Alabama.” Peace Baptist Church last month in Opelika, Ala. (Albert Cesare/Opelika-Auburn News) Congratulations, Jason!

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JasonCongratulations Dufner 6 The Opelika-Auburn News • August 18, 2013 Moore’s Mill Golf Club is proud of Dufner

By Drew Taylor same guy he was when and giving them advice tournaments last year and [email protected] I fi rst met him, but once on how to improve their last week’s victory at the he gets to know you, then game. PGA Championship was Lon Simpson didn’t he’ll start to open up to “It’s kind of cool phenomenal. know what to think of you, ribbing you and seeing him gravitate “I think all the golfi ng Jason Dufner when he telling jokes and doing all toward that and seeing members at Moore’s Mill fi rst met him a few years that kind of stuff. him play with the kids, so are excited about Jason ago at Moore’s Mill Club, Simpson said there it has been cool to see him Dufner and what he has the golf club they are both is another side to Dufner in that role also.” done and the way he has members of in Auburn. that the public doesn’t see. Moore’s Mill co- conducted himself on the “He was so He is a very focused and owner Billy Cleveland said tour. We look forward introverted and painfully smart man who studies Dufner’s commitment to to every weekend he is shy,” Simpson said. all aspects of golf, from the club was represented playing so we can follow Simpson and Dufner, the history of the game to during the championship him,” Cleveland said. an Auburn alumnus different swings. as the club logo was John Karabasz, golf who won the 2013 “He looks calm and embroidered on his golf professional for Moore’s PGA Championship collected on the exterior, bag. Mill, said although he last Sunday, then but there’s a lot going on “He doesn’t have to has not personally met began spending more inside his head,” Simpson do that, but it’s always Dufner, every member time together at the said. fun for us to see the at the club asks about 400-member club. The Brad Smith, a Moore’s Mill Club logo him and they are all very two soon became close member of the club since come up on national TV,” proud of him. friends and Simpson now 2007, said what makes Cleveland said. “He’s laidback and serves as his fi nancial Dufner special is the time In addition, easy-going and that’s what advisor. and attention he gives Cleveland said the club these folks are around Jason Dufner proudly displays Moore’s Mill Golf Club on his “He’s never changed,” to younger golfers at the was excited for him here,” Karabasz said. bag before the U.S. Open. (Submitted Photo News) Simpson said. “He’s the club, talking to them when he won a couple of “He’s never changed ... He’s the same guy he was when I fi rst met him, but once he gets to know you, then he’ll start to open up to you, ribbing you and telling jokes and doing all that kind of stuff.” The Opelika-Auburn News • August 18, 2013 7

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