Stuart Appleby

If the 2008 US Open was a start of Stuart Appleby’s fall, then the 2010 Open at Pebble Beach indicated his return to the world of golf.
Stated coach Steve Benn who witnessed Stuart Appleby’s magical shoot of 59 to claim the Greenbrier Classic title by one shoot at West Virginia on Sunday.
Appleby became the first Australian to break 60 on a major tour, and in one fell hop silenced critics who thought that he had past prime by the time at the age of 39.
Coach Ban says that Appleby was the halfway leader at the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines in California, but a atrocious putting performance in the third round shattered his confidence Which resulted to his downfall.
The 2010 season has not been a cake walk, after strong performances. Appelby has started the year with confidence following the start which he got at home late last year, including a runner-up at the Australian Open.
According to Ban the 5metre putt he sank to make the cut at the US Open in June was a huge turning point.
He'd just come off missing three cuts in a row and nothing was going right for him.
"At the US Open he made the impossible possible proving the odd’s wrong, where he had to convert a 15-footer to make the cut and he knew it and he made it," said Bann.
"If he missed that putt at the US Open, he would have missed four straight cuts and not had that chance to shoot that sub-par round on Sunday and finish 29th.
"Since then he's been a different player.
"He just reminded himself he can play as good as anyone in the world."
Appleby admits the first major slump of his career demanded something very special.
"My career has generally been on a slow and gradual move up since I turned professional," said Appleby, while preparing for this week's World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, where he met wife Ashley 10 years ago.
"Having a quiet period after a number of good years was a testing time for me.
"I just had to refocus. I was getting pushed out of the majors and the (WGC) events and I wanted to get back to that level.
"I'm certainly more appreciative of my win on Sunday than may be other wins."
Appleby's nine US Tour victories ranks second among active Australians, only one behind Steve Elkington
What sets Elkington apart is that he has won a major - the 1995 US PGA Championship.
Appleby wasn't even exempt for next week's PGA Championship until he won on Sunday. One great round changed that. How far it takes him remains to be seen.