Alternate Bob Heintz makes the most of his opportunity

Bob Heintz learned he'd be playing in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open only hours before he teed off Thursday at TPC Summerlin.

The 39-year-old journeyman got into the field as an alternate when James Nitties withdrew with a neck injury.

Heintz made a grand entrance, carding eight birdies in a first-round 8-under-par 63 that left him one shot behind leaders Tom Pernice Jr., Troy Matteson and Spencer Levin. Three-time event winner Jim Furyk and Bonanza High School product Scott Piercy each carded 64s.

"You try to treat it as an opportunity," said Heintz, who got word at 2 p.m. Wednesday that he was in. "It's a gift."

Heintz, a Yale graduate who lists chess as one of his hobbies, has had a tough life on the PGA Tour. He turned professional in 1992, and his best finish came in 2007 when he placed 136th on the money list with $646,342.

Heintz has missed the cut eight times in 17 starts this year. His best finish was a tie for eighth place at the Buick Open on Aug. 2. He has earned $235,379 and is No. 182 on the money list.

"It's a grind," Heintz said. "But I don't view my career as a failure. I feel like I've earned these chances.

"As for the time spent, do I feel I've succeeded for me? No. I still have a lot to do. For example, I wouldn't feel good about my career until I have at least kept my card for the top 125 a few times. I would love to make a million dollars in a year. I know those don't sound like lofty goals, but that's where you start, I guess."

Heintz could get closer to those goals with a win or a top-five finish that would give his family financial security.

"There's some pressure, definitely," he said. "I have four kids. I have a house. It's hard to make it if I have to play the Nationwide Tour. The way I see it, I have four chances, five if I have to go to Q school, to keep my privileges on the (PGA) Tour. You just have to fight all the way to the last event."

Pernice, 50, was No. 161 on the money list with $334,000 heading into this week's event and had missed the cut in five of his past eight tournaments. But he did win in his Champions Tour debut last month and, for at least one day, was dominant playing among the younger guys at TPC Summerlin.

"The conditions were obviously perfect," said Pernice, who had birdies on five of the 11 par-4 holes. "I was able to make some putts, and you have to do that out here."

Matteson, who won at Las Vegas in 2006, made the turn at 4 under and rebounded from a bogey on the par-3 17th with a birdie on 18 to finish 9 under.

Like Pernice, Matteson did well on the par 4s, carding six of his 10 birdies on those holes.

"I haven't putted well all year," Matteson said. "I made a few changes in the last week, and it's really nice to see the ball drop into the cup instead of lip out.

"I saw some low scores before I teed off, and it's important to get running with the front horses on this course."

Levin made the turn at 5 under and finished with back-to-back birdies at Nos. 8 and 9 to post the best round of his pro career.

Furyk followed the same formula as Pernice and Matteson, making birdies on the par 4s, including three in a row starting on No. 2.

Furyk, who started on the back nine, was just 1 under through his first eight holes before climbing into contention.

"You have to stay patient," he said. "The opportunities are out there, and it's just a matter of taking advantage of them."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.