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By Tom Hanson
Naples News
November 13, 2004
Hardy had Laurel.
Costello had Abbott.
And anyone looking for success at The Franklin Templeton Shootout has Scott McCarron.
 McCarron is second all-time in career earnings at the Shootout. |
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He's truly the event's greatest straight man. And he continued his success Friday by helping tournament host Greg Norman to a 7-under 65 round.
"I enjoy playing team competition," McCarron said. "I just have fun and I think my teammates have fun. I know I've enjoyed success in this tournament and this format."
But to see McCarron's name on the leaderboard isn't surprising.
In the last seven years of the Shootout, McCarron has been part of the winning team three times, and finished second twice.
All with three different partners.
Last year, McCarron and Brad Faxon lost in a three-way playoff to Hank Kuehne and Jeff Sluman.
On the first playoff hole, McCarron chunked his approach shot into the 18th-hole pond ending their hopes.
But with so many good memories, it's easy to forget the one bad one.
In 2000 and 2001, McCarron and Faxon won the whole thing.
That was nothing new for McCarron. He won his first Shootout title in 1997 with Bruce Lietzke.
"I think I'm the perfect Ryder Cup player," joked McCarron, who scored a second-place finish in 1999 with Scott Hoch. "They should pick the team on who gels together. But seriously I've had some great partners over the years. I just try to fly under the radar and let them do their thing."
Now, he's hoping to help Norman win his second title.
He said having Norman, the Tiburón course designer, doesn't hurt his chances.
Back in 1997, McCarron sought out a practice round with Norman when the Atlanta PGA Tour stop made its first trip to TPC Sugar Loaf, another Norman design. He went on to win the event.
And now he says it's time to pay Norman back.
"It means a lot to me to be able to play with Greg, the host, the course designer," McCarron said.
"And it would be great to win this tournament, his tournament, with him."
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