One shot changed Bohn's life

HILTON HEAD ISLAND — In 1992, Jason Bohn was a 19-year-old college student with a hangover when one swing of the golf club changed his life.

After a night of partying at the University of Alabama, he entered a hole-in-one charity event, holed a 9-iron from 135 yards and won a million bucks.

"The night before was Halloween night," Bohn said Saturday after climbing up the leaderboard at the Heritage golf tournament. "I went to every costume party in Alabama. I was Batman. I was trying to find Catwoman."

He didn't find her.

Nor did he get much sleep.

"I didn't feel very good that day I actually hit the shot," he said. "My parents always told me that a hangover is the worst thing for you, but I don't think I would have been able to hit the shot if I knew what I was doing."

But the money, which is paid to him in installments of $50,000 a year over 20 years, proved to be a mixed blessing.

Direct deposit

"It definitely changed my life," said Bohn, now a 35-year-old journeyman on the PGA Tour with one victory in the 2005 Canadian Open. "There's no question I wouldn't be sitting here right now without that opportunity. It gave me the financial ability to chase my dream."

The downside was he had to give up his amateur status and leave the Alabama golf team.

"That was pretty disappointing for me," said Bohn, who was a redshirt freshman at the time of the big shot. "I actually got a job 10 days after I hit the hole-in-one at a golf club just so I was able to practice, play and see my teammates when they came out to the course."

But that one swing of the club pushed Jason Bohn from college into a professional career sooner rather than later.

He spent the next eight years rambling around the mini-tour circuit and playing the Canadian Tour where he once shot a 58 to win a tournament. That was followed by four years on the Nationwide Tour.

But, win or lose, for better or worse, that $50,000 check shows up every October 1st.

Money matters

"It took me a long time to get here," Bohn said after firing a 4-under-par 67 in the third round at Harbour Town. "I played the mini-tours. I slept five guys in a hotel room and I've got some stories to tell about it."

But money in the bank doesn't translate into success on this tour. In fact, Bohn needs to get more money in the bank this year or his playing days are over.

Last June, at the Memorial, Bohn suffered a rib injury and couldn't finish the season. The PGA Tour has granted him a major medical extension for this year, a deal that means he must earn $257,668 in 12 events to keep his playing privileges.

To date, he's played in six tournaments and earned $135,693. That means he can finish in the top 12 here today and meet his magic number.

Currently, he's tied for third behind Boo Weekley and Anthony Kim.

"It's in the back of your mind," he said of the pressure to perform and earn a big paycheck. "I'm just trying to take advantage of the weeks I'm able to choose to play the golf courses that suit my game."

So far, so good for a guy whose luck runs out in 2012 when the checks stop coming.

Reach Ken Burger at kburger@postandcourier.com or (843) 937-5598.