Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/993527
17 Steven Ihm is a transplanted Texan now. "I'm still an Iowa boy at heart," said Ihm, 25, a Peosta, Iowa, native and former University of Iowa men's golf standout. "But I do enjoy Texas. For my professional career, it makes sense to be down here." His career is professional golf. Ihm and his wife, Caitlin, moved to Plano, Texas, in December. Now, the first three-time All-Big Ten honoree in Iowa men's golf history hopes to make a name for himself on the PGA Tour. Ihm qualified for the AT&T Byron Nelson on May, 14, surviving a playoff. It marked the fourth career PGA Tour start for Ihm, who currently has conditional status on the Web.com Tour and also had 27 starts in two seasons on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica. Ihm played at the John Deere Classic on sponsor's exemptions in 2013 and 2014. He also got into the 2016 Deere through Monday qualifying, surviving another playoff. His best finish at TPC Deere Run was a tie for 27th in 2014. "You have to feel like you belong," Ihm said. "at's the key to having success out there. If you start to put the PGA Tour up on this huge pedestal… this is amazing, and these guys are so good… you're just never going to be in the right mindset to compete with them if you're constantly putting them above yourself." Ihm earned the PGA Tour start by shooting a 5-under-par 67 in the Monday qualifier at Gentle Creek Country Club in Prosper, Texas. ere was a four-way playoff for the final two spots. Ihm made quick work of it, hitting a perfect drive and then stuffing a wedge to 2 feet and making the birdie putt. Ihm missed the cut at the AT&T Byron Nelson in Dallas aer posting a one-over-par 143. Ihm carded a two-over-par 73 in the first round, followed by a one-under-par 70 in the second round. Ihm hit 10 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation in Friday's round. One of the advantages of his move to Texas is that Ihm has unlimited access to TPC Craig Ranch, a PGA Tour-caliber facility less than 30 minutes from his home. Travel, and direct flights out of Dallas-Fort Worth to tournament cities, is another plus. "It's life-changing," Ihm said. Ihm, who has the same sponsors supporting him who were there when he turned pro in 2014, said they are giving him the chance to chase his dream. "I know I have the capability to play at the PGA Tour level and make a living out there consistently," said Ihm, who came two shots shy of gaining full-time status on the 2018 Web.com Tour at the final stage of qualifying last December. "Right now it's just the game of getting out there."