Persistent Bettencourt finds that 'dreams do come true'

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents

So what if he's missed more cuts than he's made this year?

Matt Bettencourt knows how quickly life can change. After all, his did a year ago when he won twice and lost another tournament in a playoff in his final six events on the Nationwide Tour to vault from No. 77 to the top of the money list.

Suddenly, Bettencourt found himself with full PGA TOUR privileges for the 2009 season. And Sunday -- a mere 16 events into that career -- he'll tee off at 1:45 p.m. ET in the final group at Muirfield Village with a chance to win the Memorial Tournament.

Bettencourt and Mark Wilson own a one-stroke advantage over Jim Furyk and Jonathan Byrd while Geoff Ogilvy and Davis Love III are another two shots behind. Oh, and there's the little matter of Tiger Woods, who heads the group at 5 under and four back.

Prior to Saturday, though, Bettencourt's best position after 54 holes was a tie for 37th at the Quail Hollow Championship. He fired a final-round 69 there to finish in a career-best tie for 22nd.

"You dream about it," said Bettencourt, who was practically beaming on Saturday as he shot his second-straight 68. "... You know, dreams do come true. You just have to stay persistent, believe in yourself and your abilities. The mind's a powerful thing."

Bettencourt, who had scholarship offers in baseball, graduated from Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State but didn't play golf there. He tore up the amateur ranks in California, though, winning an estimated 35 times in a two-year stretch and reaching match play at three U.S. Amateurs.

The 34-year-old turned pro in 2002 and bounced between the Nationwide Tour, Canadian Tour and Tarheel Tour. His success was extremely limited, though, so before he went to q-school after the 2007 season Bettencourt made a pact with himself.

"I basically set a two year goal that, if it didn't happen, then it probably wasn't meant to be, but I was going to battle my best," he said. "Last year finishing number one on (the Nationwide Tour) money list was a great thing and a great honor."

Among the perks? A sponsor's exemption for the Memorial Tournament -- of which Bettencourt is poised to take full advantage. Should he win on Sunday he'll earn $1.08 million, which is about $300,000 more than his Nationwide Tour and PGA TOUR earnings combined.

Bettencourt hasn't exactly been able to build on the momentum he gained with his hot finish to the 2008 season, though. He's played in 16 TOUR events and missed nine cuts. It's taken him a while to get used to the courses, the grasses and the crowds.

"It hasn't gone as I'd hoped, but I've always stayed positive," Bettencourt said. "I believe in myself and my ability to play and to compete against the world's best."

That's exactly where he finds himself on Sunday, too.

The only other time Bettencourt made headlines this year was when his clubs and wedding ring were stolen while he ate breakfast at his hotel before the pro-am at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. The thief was never caught but it turns out his new set of TaylorMades -- including the R9 460 driver that he hadn't hit before -- are serving him well.

As important as the equipment is, though, Bettencourt must maintain his composure Sunday as he tries to hold off the five major winners in the top 10. He remembers playing with one of them, Ernie Els, in his TOUR debut -- calling it a "treat" -- and he and Rocco Mediate have become close friends after playing together in the final round at Quail Hollow.

"We hit it off instantly," Bettencourt said. " ... Rocco and I have the exact same personality. You know, we're like basically brothers now, it seems like. We talk every day. Go to dinner three, four times a week. Play practice rounds with him. He gives me a lot of feedback, you know, on the golf course."

After the way Mediate took on Woods head-to-head at the U.S. Open last year, maybe a phone call on Saturday night is in order.