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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. - Golf doesn't necessarily consume the life of Murray State University graduate Patrick Newcomb, but one of his favorite movies is Tin Cup.
And, his Twitter handle is @threewiggle99 - which originates from a line in the 1996 motion picture. The 99 was added because @threewiggle was taken.
And, he went to South Africa just for the opportunity to play within two years after earning his advertising degree.
Newcomb will compete in the second PGA Tour event of his career this week when the sixth Greenbrier Classic unfolds on Thursday at the Old White TPC in White Sulphur Springs.
The 25-year-old was one of four players to fill the Classic field from the Monday qualifier at the Resort at Glade Springs, shooting a 65.
The first time he qualified through a Monday - for the 2014 McGladrey Classic - he birdied six of the final eight holes, including the playoff.
The two-time Kentucky State Amateur champion has spent the last week working to perfect the renovation of his putting, which was "completely broken down and rebuilt," he said.
"I broke it down and changed all of my fundamentals ... everything I learned. That's been a big difference. I had 10 good looks (on Monday), 10 makeable putts."
He had six birdies and 12 pars on Monday and officially hit 17 greens. He putted the ball the only time he didn't hit a green in regulation, saying, "If I have the putter in my hand, then I consider it hitting the green.
"(That was) a special day to hit 18 greens," he said. "When I miss greens, the putter has been leaving me. I would hit 15 greens and be like, 'What are you doing out here?'
"The last six days, and in this game six days can be a lifetime, it's the first time I've had a whole lot of confidence stepping overy putt."
Newcomb had a busy Summer Swing in South Africa, playing in Sunshine Tour qualifying school on Jan. 20 and following with 10 events through June 5. He earned $2,500 at Q school and another $35,790 in three made cuts between April 9 and April 30.
He hopes to pocket some this week at the Old White TPC. Newcomb tees off at 1:40 p.m. on Thursday with New Zealand's Steven Alker, who has earned $67,973.72 in June alone by finishing tied for 22nd at the St. Jude Classic and tied for 60 at the Travelers; and Chile's Benjamin Alvarado, who missed the cut in his previous two events - the Byron Nelson and the St. Jude Classic.
Newcomb, who turned pro last year, is a two-time Kentucky Golf Association Player of the Year, winning the award in 2011 and 2012.
"This game has turned into such a ball-striking game," he said. "You have to hole putts to shoot low, but it's more about giving yourself as many looks as you can. It's not about getting it close.
"You're going to have days where you hit it close all day, but generally it's about giving yourself a bunch of looks."
Contact Assistant Sports Editor Rich Stevens at richstevens@dailymailwv.com or 304-348-4837. Follow him on Twitter @richdailymail