Your hand is pain-free now, right? Is that a liberating feeling? Do you feel like your swing is back to normal?
“Yes, I am pain free and yes, that is an amazing feeling after the last couple of years. Now that is doesn’t hurt strangely enough it has taken a little adjustment getting used to it not hurting and being able to just trust it and hit the ball. I finally feel like I am over that hurdle and back to normal for the first time since I have turned professional.”
There seemed to be a lot of expectations from the media and fans after your amateur run. The phrase “the next Tiger Woods” was written more than once. Have you felt pressure to live up to that blistering pace you set in 2004 and 2005, or do you think that’s mostly media hype?
“Those things that were written about me were very flattering, but to me that stuff really doesn’t matter. All I am trying to do is go out and play the best I can every week, whatever that may be. I try not to pay too much attention to anything else and the only pressure I feel is from myself to perform how I know I can perform.”
You’ve had a bit of an up-and-down season so far. What would you say has contributed to that? Is being more consistent something you’re working on (if that’s even something you can work on?)
“My season has been a bit up and down, which is not a very normal thing for me. I am usually a much more consistent player but truthfully it goes back to my hand again. It was still bothering me a bit at the beginning of the year and ever since it stopped bothering me, I have been making a lot of adjustments trying to get my swing back to where I want it. One of the hardest things about the injury was all the little adjustments and compensations I was making without really knowing it. I have spent the last couple of months trying to eliminate all those little things, which makes things very up and down.”
What separates the pros who are fighting just to maintain their card from the guys who are consistently in the hunt?
“Well, I can honestly tell you from my observations that it sure isn’t anything physical. Everyone that has their PGA Tour card has it for a reason and they are all very talented players. Confidence and belief in yourself should never be overlooked in golf because they are pretty much the two most important things to get to this level. So I would say when it comes down to it, it is simply the right mindset.”
The recent history of U.S. Amateur champions when they turn pro hasn’t been great, yet you’ve had success right out of the gate. Is that coincidence or do you think there’s a reason for it?
“It’s really hard to sit back and look at why some people make it and some people don’t. I just know that for myself personally, winning a tournament like the U.S. Amateur, for example, was a great experience and a great confidence builder, but in no way is that the reason I have been successful as a pro. Playing for money is very different than playing as an amateur purely for the love of the game. I think it is a much harder adjustment than people give it credit for.”
When you were a college phenom AT UNLV, you were portrayed as a laid-back guy, but still totally confident and focused. How has your mind-set toward the game changed now that you play it for a living?
“You summed it up perfectly in your question. I am the same then as I am now. The only difference is that they pay me to do it now.”
Growing up in Puyallup, what were your favorite courses in the Seattle area?
“I have to mention The Classic. It is a great golf course and I look forward to playing there anytime I go home. Other courses I really like are Tacoma Golf and Country Club, Alderra and Sahalee.”
Who would you say are your closest friends on Tour?
“Aaron Baddeley, Bubba Watson and Michael Putnam.
What has been your best moment as a pro so far?
“It is hard to pick out just one moment, because I have had such a great time out here so far. When it comes down to it, my best moment so far is probably getting my card on sponsor exemptions my first year out here while being injured the entire time.”