No time to rest for Royal Oaks defending champ

The plan is to turn professional after this summer. But he knows that lifestyle is not extravagant unless he makes it to the PGA Tour one day. Instead, it will be life on the mini-tours, trying to scratch out a living while improving his game. That takes money, time, and more money. So the better he does this summer at all these tournaments, the better chance he has of finding sponsorships when he does go pro.

For now, he is taking advantage of his amateur status.

One benefit is Royal Oaks.

“I love this tournament,” he said. “I honestly didn’t think I was going to win with that score last year, but it was awesome.”

Heinly was four strokes off the lead going into the final round and was eating a post-round meal when he learned that he won. His three-day total was 2-over par, and that was good enough for a two-stroke victory when all those in front of him on Sunday struggled down the stretch.

Like any golfer, he would have preferred a better score. But he also knows that this course is unlike many that top-level players compete in throughout the golf season. A shorter course, Royal Oaks demands excellence.

“I love this course. I probably have more fun at this tournament than any other tournament,” Heinly said. “It’s just beautiful. Always in perfect condition. Fast greens. So pure and fast.”

Then there are the fairways. If you can find them, nestled between all those trees.

“If you hit every fairway out here, you go to the PGA Tour,” Heinly said.

He hit enough of them last year to win one of the most prestigious amateur events in the Northwest. That jump-started a big summer that included a couple of big moments in the U.S. Amateur. He was tied with 20 other golfers for the final four spots after stroke play, then won one of those four spots in a playoff. From there, as the No. 63 seed, he knocked off the No. 2 in the first round of match play.

“That experience was unbelievable,” he said.

This weekend, Heinly is experiencing life as a defending champion.

He struggled scoring-wise in Friday’s opening round with a 3-over-par 75. He called it a weird day, with some really bad outcomes from shots that were not too bad. He also had three birdies in a four-hole stretch to make things better going into the final two rounds.

He promises to enjoy the weekend regardless.

He is golfing, after all.

Then he will golf more on Monday, Tuesday and beyond.