Ex-UNLV star Riley seeks strong Shriners Open effort

Chris Riley hasn't won on the PGA Tour since 2002. But he's had a pretty good 2009 season, good enough to keep him motivated for the rest of the year and into 2010.

The former UNLV All-American has played in 19 events this year and has five top-20 finishes, including a tie for seventh at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee on July 17. He's earned $552,997 this season and is having his best year since 2004, when he banked more than $1 million and was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

"I've played well, but the one thing that disappoints me is I haven't closed tournaments out," said Riley, who was at TPC Summerlin on Monday, preparing for the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. "I had a chance to win in Milwaukee -- I had a share of the lead at the turn on Sunday, and I didn't get it done."

Riley, 35, hopes to fare better this year at TPC Summerlin, where the tournament opens Thursday. He failed to make the cut last year by four strokes.

"I haven't made the cut the last four times I've played here, and that's frustrating," he said. "I have so many people here rooting for me, and I usually like to get caught up with friends, and sometimes it distracts me from what I'm doing. But I'm a people person, and I have trouble saying no. But I think I'm going to have to say no this week."

Riley is 128th on the tour's money list, and only the top 125 are exempt for 2010. So if he wants to keep his card and avoid a return to the tour's qualifying school, he needs to make his move now. Perhaps playing on a course he's familiar with will move him forward.

"I've putted well all year, and when I'm putting well, I'm usually playing well," said Riley, who in August fired a second-round 63 at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C. "I'm actually very encouraged by the way I've played. I just need to do a better job of closing out tournaments."

With a wife and two children supporting him, Riley said he has gained perspective into his job.

"It doesn't seem to bother me as much," he said. "I'm getting older. I'm going to be 36 in December. It's not the end of the world if I have to go back to Q-School. I've been there before. I know what it's all about. That said, I'd obviously like to finish the year strong and keep my card."

A 1996 graduate of UNLV, Riley still has a Rebels logo on his golf bag. He remains proud of being a Rebel, and although time has put some distance between him and his alma mater, he remains in close contact with coach Dwaine Knight and still follows the program.

"Can you believe it's 13 years since I graduated?" Riley said. "Man, the time has just flown by."

But Riley knows he has to stay in the present. By having full status on the tour this year, he has had more opportunities to make money and solidify his future. But with the 2009 season winding down, Riley knows he might not have a better opportunity to move up than this week. It's why he was out working in the wind and cold Monday afternoon at TPC Summerlin -- first on the driving range, then on the putting green.

"It's a big week," he said. "I just want to play well and give myself a chance. That's all you can do."

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