Why Daniel Berger, even with job hanging in steadiness, is not nervous about getting again to elite degree

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Because the PGA Tour continues to change its aggressive panorama, Daniel Berger is unconcerned.

Positive, he’s on the RSM Traditional this week, combating to maintain his job. He entered ranked No. 127 in FedExCup factors, just some spots from sustaining totally exempt standing for subsequent yr, and after Saturday’s 7-under 63 round Sea Island’s Seaside Course, he’s tied for third and presently projected to leap to No. 108.

However it doesn’t matter what transpires on Sunday, Berger is assured he’ll discover his method again to the participant he as soon as was – four-time PGA Tour winner, Ryder Cupper, top-12 participant on this planet, all earlier than a extreme again harm robbed the 31-year-old of 19 months of his prime.

“It doesn’t actually concern me,” Berger mentioned of an quickly-evolving PGA Tour and present top-125 battle, “as a result of once I play 1/tenth of what I’m able to, I’m at a degree that’s – it’s going to sound horrible, however I feel I’m simply at a special degree than a number of the different guys I’m competing towards. Regardless, anytime you’re taking two years off of something aggressive, it simply takes some time to return again. I’m giving myself 12 extra months to be the place I wish to be.

“Yeah, prefer it’s not perfect to be on this place and I’d wish to have gained or no matter, however it’s simply difficult to take that period of time off and anticipate to return again and be precisely the place you had been earlier than.”

Although Berger missed a season and a half with a bulging decrease disc and deep bone sensitivity, when he returned at The American Specific again in January, he was not afford a serious medical extensions as a result of he was on a multi-year exemption stemming from his victory on the 2021 AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am. In 26 begins this yr, Berger confirmed so rust, lacking 12 of his first 21 cuts with only one top-20 end throughout that span.

Nonetheless, he’s seemed extra like his previous self this fall, beginning on the Sanderson Farms Championship the place he completed solo seventh. This week marked his sixth straight minimize made.

“I used to be enjoying effectively after which one thing occurs and you’re taking day off and subsequent factor you recognize the entire panorama of the Tour’s modified and I’m enjoying in occasions that I’ve by no means performed in earlier than, I’m going to locations I’ve by no means performed,” Berger mentioned. “It’s only a totally different method to have a look at it, however I’ve been actually constructive the entire yr about it. Simply management what I can management and that’s it.”

That’s a mindset that helps clarify Berger’s lack of fear.

All he can do is play good golf, which, as Berger contends, is clearly sufficient.