My biggest regret is that I didn't play in the British Open when I was at my best. Why did I stay home? Because people told me I had to go. Like I said, stubbornness helps, and it can hurt.
Proudest moment of my career: winning the NCAA Championship at Wake Forest. Seriously. We were a great team. Golf World named us the best college team of all time, and that's saying a lot. Jay Haas was there; Bob Byman, who won at Bay Hill after he turned pro, was there; a lot of great amateur golfers. We were young, we were cocky and the world was uncomplicated. Talk to a lot of pros, and they'll tell you the best time of their lives was playing college golf.
I wasn't a particularly good student. Only good enough to stay eligible. I'm not real proud of that.
Jay Haas—mild-mannered and unassuming, "nicest guy on tour" and all that, right? Wrong. He's the best practical joker of all time, pure evil when it comes to knowing my weak spots and pushing my buttons. At Wake he was just relentless. Once, after I'd putted poorly in a college tournament, he conned me into believing the Bulls Eye putter I loved was a bad putter for me. So I stuck it out the window of the van and ground it down to nothing on the pavement while we were going 70 miles per hour. Then he said he was just kidding, and why did I go and ruin my best putter? These things made me want to kill him, but I couldn't retaliate because I wasn't as sly or witty as he was. I'd just stew. Jay loved it and still does—when he's around I keep one eye open for fear of what he might say or do next. He's the only person alive who has my number.
Where do I stand on the technology debate? Modern equipment has gotten out of control. I have to carry my cell phone, extra battery, earpiece and battery charger wherever I go. I need my laptop, charger and wires. The manufacturers promised these things would make life easier; instead they've added three hours to my day. Where does it end?
I like forged-blade irons better than cavity-back clubs, partly because they feel so soft when I hit a shot right on the button. But I also like them because a poorly struck shot makes your hands ring. Bad shots should cause you all sorts of pain.
At the course where I grew up I played with gamblers all the time, with my father's blessing. The money wasn't huge, but $5 was enough to get my attention. I've always felt you should have something riding every time you play. Betting is crucial to a young player's development.
Our guys just aren't as excited about the Ryder Cup as they used to be, certainly not as excited as the Europeans, who always are motivated by beating the big, bad USA. For an American who plays in one of these things every year—there's the Presidents Cup, too—it's only a matter of time before you blow a big match and get fried by the media. For guys like Tiger and Mickelson it's not just about playing for their country, it's about getting scrutinized and hammered if they don't play well. If I had to make a prediction, I'd say the Europeans will win next time, too. Pride will take over eventually. The Americans will get sick of getting beat. But that's still a ways off.
Here's the deal on my leaving ABC: They wanted a two-year commitment from me beginning this year, which also is my rookie year on the Champions Tour. I said, "OK, but if I'm going to cut back on the opportunity to make money playing, I need an extra commitment from you." I wanted to be part of their next contract with the PGA Tour as well. That was too much for them, and like I've said, I was disappointed. Doing TV is easier than playing golf. I've slept better at night the last several years. The knots in my stomach are gone. You still have to get the job done on Sunday, but it's easier doing that from the booth than on the golf course.
I got fined by the tour for using bad language a few times. What's interesting is, I hear language on TV sitcoms today that's as bad as the things I got fined for.
Nothing tastes better than the first beer after a long day of shopping with Sarah. Or maybe the second beer, because I drink the first one so fast it doesn't touch the sides of my throat.
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