Now after a Saturday 69, Piller finds himself in the thick of contention heading into the final round at Victoria National.
Despite a closing bogey after failing to get up-and-down from a greenside bunker at the par-4 18th, Piller moved from T5 into a share of second following his 69. Two shots back of leader Alistair Presnell, the Texan is ready to make his Sunday run.
"I'm going to be pretty aggressive, because I know these guys are going to stay aggressive," Piller said. "There's no backpedaling out here. Everybody keeps their foot on the petal, so I'll try to do the same."
With six other players sharing the 9-under number, the leaderboard is likely to remain crowded as the final round wears on. But Piller thinks that the abundance of players in contention can actually help him, as he knows that someone in the bunch is bound to go low.
And it might as well be him.
"It's actually better, because you don't really worry about the other guys," Piller said. "You really just kind of block it out and just play, because there's really no point trying to worry about six or seven other guys. Out of all those guys, one of them is going to play well, a couple of them are going to play well. You just have to expect it."
Piller didn't want to be tentative Saturday - hitting driver off holes where other guys would hit 3-woods or hybrids - and the go-for-broke mindset should serve him well in his push toward victory. Especially on this course.
"I just tried to be aggressive and not hold back," Piller said. "Really, just because I think this course is best played when you attack it. It's easy to get defensive out here, and when you get defensive is when I think you get in trouble."
Still without a top-20 finish on the season, we'll see how Piller's game plan serves him down the stretch.
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Notes:
-Service men and women were standing by the 18th green Saturday, waiting to greet players as they finished - with the 18th flag even decked out as an American flag, as well.
I talked to one of the soldiers who was stationed by the green, and he said he has served in the military for 15 years - with much of his time served in Iraq. He is currently stationed here in Evansville, as an active duty soldier that supports the National Guard unit. In Iraq, he served as a military police officer that trained the Iraqi police.
As he was dressed in full military uniform, I asked him how he is dealing with the heat. Considering he has spent a lot of time in Iraq, I figured that he would be able to handle the conditions better than most, and he agreed.
"It's not too bad," he said. "The trick is to drink a lot of water."
The soldier was out at the event on Wednesday, serving as a caddie during the pro-am - for current leader Alistair Presnell.
And he jokingly took a little credit for Presnell's stellar play.
"I gave him some tips when I was out here," he said. "It was fun."
I asked if he played golf, and he said he does try to hit the ball on occasion - but wouldn't claim anything beyond that.
"I wouldn't consider it playing," he said. "But yeah, I come out here and shoot."
All in jest.
-The tees were moved up on the par-4 12th, encouraging players to drive the green. I stood by the 12th tee for a while and saw a lot of balls close to the green, but none that ended up making it on.
Found a great spot in the shade by the 11th green, where I could see players tee off on 11, putt on 11, and tee off on 12. After Friday's day-long effort on the course, I wasn't about to walk much more.
Sure, I need to get in better shape - but that heat is sure to wear on anyone who tries to walk that course multiple times in one day. Especially carrying a bag up and down hills for a few holes.
-Saw Kevin Johnson roll in a 25-footer for birdie on 11. That ended up being Johnson's only birdie of the day, as he struggled to a 5-over 77.
But Johnson was friendly when he saw me, and he said he checked out this blog - which was much appreciated. He suggested that I caddy for him in an August tournament in Missouri. What an experience that would be.
As he walked away, he told me to make sure I get in shape, if I'm going to caddy for him. Wouldn't be a bad idea. Might have to contact Rick Reilly (author of Who's Your Caddy, a book where he chronicled experiences of caddying for various players) for some pointers.
And if I do end up caddying for him, hopefully the temperatures are a little cooler than 106 degrees.
-Uresti continued his free-fall down the leaderboard, shooting 77 to fall 12 shots off the pace. Looks like the week is another lost one for Omar, despite an opening 65 that offered so much promise. Heck, Uresti has his work cut out for him just to finish in the top 25, currently six shots back of the 5-under number.
Saw Uresti leave a 20-footer for birdie on 11 well short. Once he knew the ball wouldn't make it, the veteran unleashed an uncharacteristic response, throwing his towel on the green in disgust. Certainly a frustrating afternoon for the O-man.
But at least he had the lead Thursday, and for a few holes on Friday. That was definitely pretty cool.
-Uresti's caddy saw me on the 12th tee, and walked over to say hellp. Knowing I had seen him give up the bag on Friday afternoon (due to heat exhaustion), he asked me if I was following him in hopes that he would go down.
With a wet towel draped over his head, he told me that he felt great. I can't say for sure, but I'm almost positive he completed the round. Can't fall short two days in a row.
-Overheard a conversation between two fans on the eighth green, after we were blessed with a gust of wind. The one guy turned to his friend and asked where the breeze came from.
The friend's response? "Heaven."
Touche, sir.
-Lee Williams hit his approach six inches left of the pin on eight, for a stress-free tap-in birdie.
When Williams' caddy saw the result, he offered a witty take.
"I told him he pulled it."
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