What's in my bag? Charles Howell III

By Charles Howell III

Interview By Mark Soltau

Photo By J.D. Cuban

Age: 28 / Lives: Orlando / Story: Augusta, Ga., native won the 2007 Nissan Open after finishing runner-up nine times since first win in 2002.

LOVE OF THE GAME

When he was the golf coach at Oklahoma State, Mike Holder said if he did his job well, I'd love golf just as much or more when I left school. That didn't make much sense to me then, but now that I've been on the pro tour awhile, I appreciate how important it is to love golf even when it feels like a job.

By Charles Howell III

Interviewed By Mark Soltau

Photo By J.D. Cuban

GOOD TO WIN AGAIN

If winning my first tournament in 2002 was thrilling, then winning my second, last February's Nissan Open, was relief. I beat Phil Mickelson in a playoff but still didn't get a Golf World cover--what's up with that?

ON TIGER

I once beat him in a putting contest, but I've never played a practical joke on him. I'm scared of what would come back the other way. It'd be one of those "win the battle but lose the war" situations.

THERE WAS NO PLAN B

If I weren't playing golf for a living, I'd probably be working in business. Though in all honesty, I never had a backup plan. Mentally, I think having nothing to fall back on helped me get out here as quickly as I did.

STOCKING UP

Every time I'm home practicing at Isleworth Country Club, I grab a bunch of long tees and pitch-mark repair tools. I lose them all the time, so I take extra big handfuls.