Heintz in field in Utah

Almost two months ago, I sat down with Bob Heintz in a golf cart just off the 18th green at Thornblade Club in Greenville, SC. Heintz told me, in a matter-of-fact tone, that he was essentially done with professional golf. He said he needed to support his family, and that a 'real' job was now required - considering the state of his golf game.

Not even 60 days later, Heintz is back - in the field at this week's Utah Championship on the Web.com Tour, and ready to compete.

Questions linger: What compelled him to reverse his decision so quickly? Even if he were to make a comeback, why would it be the tournament furthest away from his Tampa-area home? Has his game improved so drastically in such a short period of time, that he decided competitive golf was worth another shot?

These questions may be answered with Heintz's play the next few days, or maybe not. If he plays a couple uninspired rounds and misses the cut, the decision won't make much sense - and Heintz will lose a lot of money (in travel costs) in the process.

In any case, he told me the decision to retire was based on cost, and the trip to Utah seems to contradict his prior statements.

I should say that I'm a huge Heintz fan, have been for a while, and am happy he is in the field. I hope he plays well, and that he makes some money to move up for the next reshuffle - so that he can get in a few more events, and build his career back up.

That being said, maybe this is just a one-time thing - that he had the opportunity to play, and figured to have a little fun while he can. Making the cut in Greenville gave him a bit of money for an earlier reshuffle - and if he is truly in the retirement process, this is the final year he will have a chance to play at all.

So could the Utah Championship be Heintz' swan song to professional golf? Perhaps.

Then again, I thought that was the case after he failed to crack the top 25 in Greenville. The fate of his career could well depend on how he fares this week.

But if this is it for Heintz, it's too bad it has to be all the way out in Utah - where I doubt he has much fan support. Then again, I could be wrong.