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GREENSBORO - Brandt Snedeker has a shock of blond hair that cascades over his visor and a natural smile that never, ever fades. He does not need that syrupy-sweet swing of his to stand out in a crowd, but it helps.

So when last year's inaugural Wyndham Championship winner showed up at Sedgefield Country Club on Thursday to help promote next month's tournament, no name badge was needed. Members walked up to him and congratulated him on last year's victory -- his first on the PGA Tour -- at Forest Oaks Country Club.

"It's like I won all over again," Snedeker said. "Everyone has been so great."

A 32-foot birdie putt on the 71st hole last year broke a tie between Snedeker and runner-up Tim Petrovic and sealed tour rookie-of-the-year honors for Snedeker. It's been quite an eventful 11 months since for Snedeker. Flirting with a green jacket on Sunday at the Masters. An engagement to his college sweetheart. Next up: Defense of his Wyndham Championship.

News & Record golf writer Robert Bell caught up with Snedeker on Thursday at Sedgefield:

Q. What's it like coming back to the town where you won your first tournament?

A. It's funny because I'm coming back to the town, but not the golf course. Still I got little goose bumps coming back here. I haven't been playing well of late, so it's kind of nice coming to a town where you have good feelings. Hopefully, I can rekindle that form I had last year.

Q. Do you still think about that putt at No. 17?

A. I think about it a lot. Whenever I have a tough pressure putt out on tour, I look back to that putt and know that I can do it again. You feed off it and hopefully build off it.

Q. Everyone remembers that birdie, but you actually played a great back nine to reel in the leaders.

A. Yeah, I made bogey at 12, then I birdied 13, 14, 15 and 17 to win the tournament, so it was pretty special. To birdie that tough par-3 and steal one there when Petrovic was on the tee watching was great.

Q. You've been in position to do that this year a few times -- certainly at the Masters -- but haven't repeated it. That's got to be frustrating.

A. Oh, absolutely. I've done it a couple of times on the Nationwide Tour, but it seems like (on the PGA Tour) I've gone the other way this year. I had a tough Sunday at the Masters and a tough Sunday in Tampa Bay (at the PODS Championship). It's frustrating knowing that I can do it because I did it here last year, but nothing so far this year.

Q. What's your impression of Sedgefield?

A. Oh, it's easily the best course I've seen in a while from a sheer tradition standpoint. It's definitely not like the new ones, the cookie cutter kind you see. (Sedgefield) has so many different setups, great Donald Ross classic greens with cool roll-off areas. Ninety percent of us on tour prefer these old-style courses, but the only time we ever get to see them is in a major. Tournaments that have these types of courses attract great players. It's going to be neat to have won the first Wyndham Championship, because I guarantee you it's going to grow into one of the best stops out here.

Q. What stands out at first glance about Sedgefield?

A. Nos. 15, 16 and 17 are fantastic. I can't think of too many other places on tour where players and fans have a vantage point where so much happens in such a small place. (The par-5) 15th is reachable and you'll see a few eagles, but you'll also see some bogeys because of the water. Everyone will be looking over their shoulder when they get to that corner on Sunday.

Q. Does that include players?

A. Oh, heck yeah. We get excited when we have that type of finish. You don't get to see that often. Augusta's 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th, you get those roars, but not many other places. Guys who tell you they aren't looking around aren't telling the truth. We'll all be sneaking a peek.

Q. What does the move to Sedgefield do for this tournament?

A. Look at Charlotte, the Wachovia (Championship). The first thing they did was go out and find a great venue and they got one in Quail Hollow. Now all the players want to play there. They're trying to do the same thing here. If guys see this course once, they'll want to play it again. It's a great test to every aspect of your game and that's what we want.

Q. So you're engaged now. How's that going?

A. Yeah, it's going great. She's been traveling with me all year. It's been a fun part of our lives, all these great places to travel and have fun. Neither one of us wants to have kids right now, so it's been a fun part of our lives.

Q. Is she a golf fan?

A. She wasn't before we met in college, but she probably knows more than most fans do right now. She doesn't play, but she watches every round of golf. She's been a huge part of my success. If I didn't have her to come home to and put things in perspective and really have her support, it would be different out here.

Q. You've struggled this year. Have you put a finger on why?

A. I've had moments where I've played great golf, but nothing for a period like I did last year. There was a point last year where I was comfortable with my swing for about eight weeks, but I just haven't been able to repeat that this year. The funny thing is, I feel I'm better all around at this point. I'm just not getting the results and that's frustrating. Hopefully, Greensboro will be a jolt to my game, bring back some good vibes and breaks again.

Contact Robert Bell at 373-7055 or robert.bell@news-record.com