Butch Harmon instantly saves Brandt Snedeker from rock bottom

Phil Mickelson (R) of the U.S. talks with his swing coach Butch Harmon during the second day of practice ahead of the 2008 British Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale July 15, 2008. (Robert Galbraith/Reuters)

Brandt Snedeker, who won the Farmers Insurance Open last weekend, hit rock bottom in December when he shot an 84 during the Australian PGA Championship. Shortly after the tournament, Snedeker headed to see Butch Harmon.

According to Harmon, who was inducted into the Golf Magazine World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame last week, Snedeker had a different look in his eyes when he showed up at his school at Rio Secco.

“He was totally frustrated with himself,” said Harmon. “He literally got on a plane and flew non-stop to Los Angeles and then to Las Vegas, and at 3:30 p.m. he was on my range working. He was ready to tear down his whole swing, but after I watched him I knew it really wasn’t that bad.”

Harmon told Snedeker to move the ball back in his stance, which allowed his swinging motion to free up.

Soon the gleam was back in the fun-loving Snedeker’s eyes.

“He instantly started to hit the ball better,” said Harmon. “He likes to play a draw and now he is doing that and seeing the ball beautifully.”

Snedeker has two wins plus a runner-up and a third-place finish since the Vegas lesson. His other victory came at the Shark Shootout just days after working with Harmon.

Golf deals of the week

* Play Jack Nicklaus’ Bear’s Best Las Vegas on Super Bowl Sunday for $79.* Sign up for the OB Sports Vegas card and save at Legacy, Angel Park and Durango Hills.

Craig Barlow’s dream alive

Craig Barlow, who grew up in Las Vegas, is scheduled to play in this weekend’s Club Columbia Championship on the Web.com Tour where is exempt this season. He played on the PGA Tour regularly from 1998-2006 but sporadically ever since. He has battled injuries and real-life challenges over the last several years.

Off the course, Barlow’s son, Riley, has Down syndrome. Barlow calls him “the happiest little guy.” His stepson, Jason, is battling cancer. It’s difficult for Barlow to be away from them and wife Leann while chasing his PGA Tour dream.

Life on tour isn’t cheap, especially when weeks can go by without a check but the traveling expenses keep adding up. The Craig Barlow Challenge will be Feb. 24 at the Badlands to help him get back to the PGA Tour. Call Dustin Flatt at 702-363-0754 to sign up.

“I’m very lucky to play golf for a living and can honestly say that I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of friends and family who believed in me,” said Barlow.

SNGA honors best

Edward Fryatt, a former UNLV All-American and PGA Tour player, was named the Southern Nevada Golf Association Championship Division Player of the Year on Wednesday during the annual awards dinner held at Rio Secco Golf Club. Also earning player of the year honors were: Rob Zoine, net. Gary Carpendale, senior. Jim Licausi, senior net. Frank Abbott, super senior. Tom Richardson, super senior net.

Other annual honors included: Tom Kilmer, volunteer; Pacific Links, facility; Coyote Springs, member club; Jason Pomroy, professional; media partner, Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Stars on, off course

* Harmon and staff pro Nick Helwig at UNLV-San Diego State basketball game.* At varying times recently, PGA Tour players Ryan Moore and Bill Lunde, and Champions Tour players Keith Clearwater and Tommy Armour III on the pro practice tee at TPC Las Vegas.

The golf notebook appears every Thursday. Freelance writer Brian Hurlburt is a two-time author who has covered golf in Las Vegas for more than two decades. He can be reached at bhurlburt5@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @LVGolfInsider