I saw on LPGA.com you said that “playing in front of a crowd” is the thing you looked forward to on Tour? Are you the type of person that feeds off being in front of people rather than getting nervous?
Absolutely! I love playing in front of people, I love to make them cheer. It is the best feeling in the world to hit a good shot and then wait until the crowd sees it land and then goes nuts. It is such an adrenaline rush.
Is it hard to keep your confidence up when you’re not playing as well as you’d like?
Yes, and that is why it is important to surround yourself with positive people and to have the right person caddying for you.
Has playing professionally been at all like you expected, in terms of the competition? What’s the hardest part of being on the LPGA Tour? The coolest part?
The competition is great. It seems like there are so many women that are extremely talented out here on Tour. The hardest part about the LPGA Tour is all of the little things that go along with the job. Trying to get around a new city, and new golf course, learning how to keep track of expenses and income taxes for each state you compete in. Learning how I perform at my best and how to travel. Which tournaments you want to fly in on a Sunday, which ones you can leave on a Sunday night, verses a Monday. Knowing which weeks it is good to stay in private housing and which weeks it is better to be in a hotel. I am under 25 so knowing where the car rental places are in the small towns … I may have to get my car at an airport an hour away to avoid the $25 extra a day charge. The best part of the job is waking up every morning ready to go to work, and loving what I do. You cannot replace being happy in the job that you choose.
Who would you say your closest friends are on the Tour?
I hang out with a lot of different Tour players but my closest friends are Irene Cho, Morgan Pressel, Wendy Ward, Natalie Gulbis, Wendy Doolin and Kristy McPherson.
You’ve always emphasized the need to have fun with the game and how that impacts your play. Is it harder to have fun now that its your living and you have certain expectations that weren’t there before?
I think it is more difficult because of the environment on Tour. Most of the women are not on Tour to have fun and it is certainly less social on the golf course; players stick with their caddies most of the day. This is why it is important to have a caddy that you can socialize with and enjoy being around.
What are some of the things you are learning in your first year on Tour?
When going to an event a week after you have off, travel on a Sunday. When you are finishing a tournament before a week off, travel on a Sunday. Otherwise, travel on Monday. Find a caddy that you enjoying being with. (I am on my third this year, I know!) The LPGA is a big family and we have all of the characters involved. The crazy Uncle Jim, the nurturing grammy and the siblings you hate and love at the same time. A good week can make a good year.
With all the sponsor commitments, pressure, travel, being away from family, etc., what do you do to keep your sanity, for support, etc.?
You are assuming I am remaining sane?? Our Christian fellowship and small group fellowship are the activities that I look forward to most each week. This group of women helps to keep things in perspective and get me through the tough weeks. I also try to find a Starbucks on the road and that makes me feel at home on the road.
What do you think separates the players that are consistently in the hunt each week and the ones who are just struggling to make the cut?
Confidence.
what’s in Paige’s bag
- Driver: Sumo Lucky 13
- 3-wood: SasQuatch II
- Hybrid: Slingshot Tour Hybrid 18-degree
- Irons: Slingshot OSS (3 iron) & CCi Cast (4-9 irons)
- Wedge: SV 58-degree
- Putter: Unitized Techno
- Ball: Platinum+
What’s your favorite club in your bag?
My putter. Before I changed to Nike, I had the same putter for eight years, and I didn’t think that I would change. The Nike Techno that I have now is so much better balanced that when I am rolling the ball well, I know I can’t miss.
I know you’re a big sports fan. Who are some of your favorite teams or players outside of the golf world?
My favorite teams are anything UW Husky! Some of my favorite players are Tom Brady, Brett Favre and Ray Allen.
If you could set up your dream foursome, who would be the other three?
My family … my brother Brock, Mom and Dad. I hardly get to see my family now that I am traveling every week.
What’s your
favorite
course in Washington and on Tour?
My favorite course in Washington is the Members Club at Aldarra. It has such a great membership and the golf course is always in tournament shape. The best course that I have played so far on Tour is the event in Phoenix at Superstition Mountain; the course was in fantastic condition!
What’s in heavy rotation on your ipod?
My newest playlist has Avant, T-Pain, Akon, Usher, Coldplay, R-Kelly, Elliot Yamin.
Nike’s Newest Ambassador
Just prior to her rookie season on the LPGA, Paige MacKenzie signed an endorsement deal with Nike Golf, joining Grace Park and Michelle Wie as the only women on Nike Golf’s Tour Staff.
“Nike Golf has been great to work with,” MacKenzie says. “Equipment is my biggest concern and they not only have helped in the transition into their clubs but also to help fix some of my problem areas. For example, I came to them asking for a solution to my 7 wood that I hit too high. I needed a club that could go 200 yards but would not balloon into the wind and they were able to put me in a hybrid 2 iron.”