News

Justin Timberlake

By Bob Verdi Photos by J.D. Cuban
September 21, 2009
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*He's a world-famous entertainer who can't get enough golf. In fact, for the second straight year, Justin Timberlake will host a PGA Tour event in his name to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children. *

Grillroom:__ With all you have going on, did you really need to add your own event to your schedule? __

Timberlake: It's purely selfish. By having those pros in Las Vegas, I can get a closer look at their swings.

But seriously ...

Seriously, it's for a great cause and a really fun week. Plus we're having a concert Saturday night, Oct. 17, a blow-out fundraiser.

You're one of Butch Harmon's prized students?

He's helped me a lot. I used to scoop the ball, like a lot of amateurs. He's working with me on trapping it, swinging more from the inside.

Entertainers and other athletes often say golf is more difficult than what they do.

It is completely unnatural. For one, it's completely quiet when you're over the ball. If people were making noise and we would have some music in the background, I think I might be a better player. In my job, noise helps fuel you.

Do you play on the road?

I travel a lot, even when I'm not on tour. I have a set of clubs in New York, where I have a place; in Memphis, where I'm from; and in Los Angeles, where I spend most of my time.

Something else happened in L.A.

Yes! A hole-in-one in July, at Lakeside. Not only a golf highlight. A highlight of my life. I put that right up there with the Grammys.

And at the second Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge, you took 10 strokes off your score.

At Bethpage. And I got to play with one of my heroes, Michael Jordan. He plays all day. I could be talked into that.

Watch golf?

When I can. I saw Tiger Woods shoot a 62 in the third round of the BMW Championship. People don't understand. He makes it look so easy, but he worked his whole life to shoot 62.

You're hooked.

When I'm done this interview, I'll be putting on my carpet.