Waiting for his turn to come

buchner golf featureNewport Beach golfer, who once played against Tiger Woods, is in the second round of PGA qualifying school.Walking the fairways during the CIF Southern California Golf Assn. Championship at San Juan Capistrano’s Marbella Country Club in 1991, Dan Buchner had one more distraction.

Numerous times after hitting his second shot, a ball would scamper by the Dana Hills High junior, directed from the tee box. Standing in the tee box, in the group behind Buchner, was a skinny Western High freshman with an unusual first name.

In high school, just like on the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods was better than the majority of the competition.

“He was really skinny, but he hit so far,” said Buchner, now a Newport Beach resident. “We would be walking down the fairway and his ball would roll past us. Man, he hit far. I remember that day and how much better he was than everyone.”

Buchner finished 10 strokes behind Woods that day for third. Woods’ margin of victory over the second-place finisher was the largest in the then 21-year history of the tournament.

Buchner knew Woods was the best of the best, so it didn’t discourage him from the sport. Now, the 32-year-old is seeking to join Woods on the PGA Tour.

“We knew that if [Woods] didn’t make it, than obviously we didn’t have a chance,” Buchner said. “We were hoping he would be the best in the world.”