Maggert Already Has His Fill of Seconds

Never on Sunday, that’s Jeff Maggert, who always seems to be in the hunt on the last day and then disappears faster than a parking place anywhere near the tournament.

Maybe it’s going to be different at this PGA Championship, where he is once again close to the lead. Then again, looking at Maggert’s history, maybe not.

Maggert, 33, has made a very lucrative living out of finishing second, which he has done 10 times so far during an eight-year career in which he has earned more than $4 million. He has won once, but not since the Walt Disney/Oldsmobile Classic in 1993.

After two rounds at Winged Foot Golf Club, Maggert is only two shots behind Lee Janzen at two-under 138. You can look at this two ways. He is either in good position to break through, or he’s setting himself up for another classic fade job.

Maggert says he knows which way he’s going to go.

“I feel like I’m pretty tenacious,” he said. “I don’t quit, and I don’t give up. All the close finishes in the past are only going to help me in the future.”

A strong finish here could land Maggert a spot on the Ryder Cup team.

He began the tournament in 11th place on the points list, with the top 10 players gaining automatic spots on the 12-player team. In 1995, he finished third in the PGA at Riviera to make the team.

Maggert has finished second twice this year--at the Buick Classic and at Hartford. He could have had a third second at the U.S Open, but he finished fourth with a bogey, par, double bogey, bogey finish.

“There have been some disappointments,” he said. “But on the other hand, there have been some good learning experiences. I feel like my best golf is still to come.”

For Maggert, this weekend would be a very good time for it to arrive.