Daniel Popovic is now a big name on the golf circuit after winning the Australian PGA. Source: Getty Images
DANIEL Popovic used the meagre $598 he won as an unknown in Toowoomba last year to stem a credit card blowout on the way to a week of golf that changed his life.
Making the most of his remarkable Australian PGA triumph at Coolum two months ago is not only about banking the $225,000 cheque but also about unlocking opportunities while he's still the flavour of 2013.
The popular Victorian yesterday gave a vivid insight into how his world has changed when he returned to Toowoomba for the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA at City Golf Club as a headliner.
Two-time major winner Greg Norman is advising Popovic on the right channels to secure an extra start on the US PGA Tour, possibly the $5 million Canadian Open.
It would sit neatly the week before his WGC Bridgestone Invitational appearance in Ohio in August when he will be in the same locker room as world No.1 Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
"It's pretty surreal to get a message from Greg Norman on my phone," Popovic said.
"He's been great in offering a helping hand with the right contacts to send off a resume to seek a sponsor's invite."
Popovic has been slipped into feature pro-am groups with Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle and radio personality Andy Lee.
"Life's been a whole lot busier these past few months just organising myself with what I'm going to do," he said.
Popovic could only curse a final hole triple bogey yesterday which left him with a three-over 71 in the opening round in Toowoomba, where Adelaide-based leader Jason Norris shot a sizzling eight-under 60.
Norris, 40, admitted that breaking the magical 60 barrier filled his mind when he stood on the 18th needing only a par four for a 59 on a breezy day.
His seven iron flew the green on the 18th during a lull in wind, buried on the downslope of a bunker and he had to settle for a bogey when he missed a 13m par putt.
"The putter finally got going. I got to nine under on the 13th and I was in that 59 zone," Norris said after his attack on the short par-68 layout.
Tim Wood had 61 to be second while consistent Kiwi Michael Hendry (62) and Aussie veteran Brad Kennedy (64) are top threats.
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