Mike Capone has had to play through two disk injuries.

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

As he looks back on it, Mike Capone now realizes why he got injured.

“I overdid it,” he said. “I played 31 events last year. I was trying to battle it out. I thought I could be like Dana Quigley and just keep playing and playing. But I realize now I can’t be like Superman.”

Capone has had plenty of time to think about the situation. The former Hendricken and Wake Forest star went eight months without playing golf. Somewhere along the way, as he traveled around the world to compete, he developed neck problems. He had a herniated disk and also a bulging disk.

“I saw three or four neurosurgeons,” said the 31-year-old, who is one of the few to win the RIGA Junior, Amateur and Open. “They said they didn’t recommend surgery for someone as young as me. They said, ‘All you can do is rest.’ ”

Capone played 27 events on the Nationwide Tour last year and also has played extensively in Europe and Asia.

“All those 15-hour flights and the playing took its toll,” he said. “There wasn’t enough balance between golf and being in the gym. If I went to the gym four or five times a week, I could do that. But when you are not sure where you’re going to be playing, you have to go where you can. I just jammed away for a long time and it took its toll.”

The good news is that Capone has healed and is feeling fine. As he called it, he “got the rust out” in the Rhode Island Open, his first event back. Not only did he begin to get his game back in shape, he got his head back into it, too.

“I played 54 holes with Eddie Kirby and Rodney Butcher, two great guys,” Capone said. “It felt good to be back.”

He then won the Golfers’ Warehouse Tour’s Nike Championship at Crestwood, coming from behind with final round 66 to win at 8-under 134.

He drove to Rochester last weekend, then went out for Monday qualifying and earned a spot in that event, although he did not make the cut there.

With his injury problems, Capone has spent a lot of time in Rhode Island, rather than Florida where he now spends much of his time. That has allowed him to work with Mike Harbour. Harbour, who has guided many of the state’s best players, has worked with Capone for years.

“When I started hitting balls about three weeks ago I started with Mike again,” Capone said. “I’ve always trusted him. He put me on video and checked out my swing.

“I feel I know what I need to do, but it’s always nice to have another pair of eyes. He’s really helped me get going and get back on track again.”

Brett Quigley returns

Brett Quigley plans to make his return to the PGA Tour this week when the FedEd Cup playoffs begin. The RICC product has been out for two months with a stress fracture in his left leg.

“It’s been tough. I haven’t played at all in six weeks. I haven’t been able to practice because with a stress fracture you can’t do anything except rest,” Quigley said. “Mentally I’m ready to play. I don’t know about physically, but I know I’m ready mentally.”

Quigley stands 112th in FedEx Cup standings and likely will lose a few spots based on how everyone finishes today at the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina. That means he will need to make the cut this week at The Barclays, which has moved from New York to Paramus, N.J., to reach the Deutsche Bank Championship at the TPC of Boston Aug. 29-Sept. 1.

The field is cut to the top 120 for the Deutsche Bank.

Brad Adamonis, currently 89th in the FedEx standings, seems safe to reach the Deutsche Bank. Patrick Sheehan, who is 125th, will have to make the cut at The Barclays to move on, although he could help himself with a big finish today at the Wyndham.

Chip shots

Wannamoisett’s Mike Caprio has qualified for the U.S. Mid Amateur to be held Sept. 6-11 at the Milwaukee Country Club. Competing at New England Country Club, Caprio birdied the 17th and 18th holes to shoot 72 and tie for the fifth and final available spot. He then won the playoff.

Bellingham’s Brian Higgins was among the others to advance. Higgins is in Pinehurst, N.C., preparing for the U.S. Amateur that begins tomorrow. Former URI star Ben Spitz and current Rhody standout Brad Valois also are in the Amateur. … John McCarthy, the new Rhode Island Junior champion, heads the team named to represent the state in the New England Championships to be held tomorrow and Tuesday at Wanumetonomy. Joining McCarthy on the team are Jeff Ray, Jared Adams, Tom Mally, Owen Lynch, Tyler Fay and Matt Creamer.

The Rhode Island Senior Open, to be held Sept. 23-24 at Alpine, is now accepting entries. Entries can be made by contacting Rick Holcomb (401) 862-4119. Amateurs with handicaps of 12 or lower can compete. … Dustin Cone is the champion of the Golfers Warehouse Tour for this year. The 24-year-old from Vermont finished second to Jeff Curl in the final event of the Rhode Island-based tour at Wintonbury Hills in Connecticut. The finish, coupled with Cone’s earlier win at in the Mizuno Open at Triggs, gave the Vermont resident the overall title. He and Connecticut’s Steve Sokol, who finished second, both receive $4,500 to pay for PGA Tour Qualifying School.

pkenyon@projo.com