Michael Williams, the GM at the Manawatu Golf Club reached out to me about the possibility of playing in the event. It didn't take long to accept his invitation to be a part of a professional event in my home town of Palmerston North and at my home club. I have longed for the chance to give something back to a community and a club that provided the opportunity for me as a youngster to learn to love this great game.
What does it mean to be able to return to the place where your golf career first began?
I believe throughout your career, you attempt to put yourself in situations where you can build or relive memories. This is a perfect opportunity to do both. To return home to the Manawatu Golf Club, a place where I spent countless hours hitting thousands of balls on the range, all-the-while dreaming of one day winning on the PGA Tour. Obviously, the hard work and the dreaming all paid off. Unquestionably, there will not be one moment, one hole that I play at Manawatu Golf Club throughout the LawnMaster Classic week that I won't be reminiscing about something that happened all those years ago.
I can't wait!
How much are you playing these days and what expectations do you have around performance?
I play very little nowadays. For 25+ years golf was my No 1 priority. I awoke every day devising and carrying out a plan to improve all facets of my game. For the first 10 years, there was joy, passion and enthusiasm and the last 15 years as a professional, it was my job and I treated it like one. When I stepped away from the Tour in 2007, my priorities completely changed. No longer did I spend every waking minute thinking about the game that had consumed me for all those years, and it was very refreshing. As far as expectations, I have none whatsoever, which may actually be beneficial to my performance, who knows? I will attempt to stroll around Manawatu enjoying all the bad shots that undoubtedly I will hit, be amazed at the couple that go according to plan, and simply embrace the beauty of my old stomping ground.
What are you most looking forward to about playing in the event?
To rekindle some friendships of those that I have lost track of being gone so long, to offer assistance or advice to enhance the event in any way possible, to build relationships with the caretakers of this game of golf inside the gates of Manawatu Golf Club and also within the boundaries of my home country, New Zealand. To partake in all of the festivities surrounding the LawnMaster Classic.
You are most famous for winning the Players Championship. What are some of your favourite memories from that victory at Sawgrass?
I have had the good fortune to return to the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass the past 12 years, five as a participant and seven as an analyst in varying capacities. I will admit that during the week of the event in 2002 everything was a blur, out of focus similar to the dreams I had on the range as a young lad in New Zealand. But, upon my return the successive years, and wandering around the entire facility with my eyes wide open, the memories are vivid, the sounds, the smells, the emotions, certain shots, comments made by officials, players and the media all seemed so real, lifelike, like they happened yesterday. Although it was my crowning achievement in my career, I'm not sure if I ever truly appreciated what I actually accomplished that magical week in March of 2002. With all that being said, my fondest memory is and will always be hugging my wife Maureen behind the 18th green, so tight I nearly broke a couple of her ribs, and proclaiming "are you ready to go to Augusta?? THE MASTERS??"
What do you enjoy about your current role as a golf analyst with the Golf Channel?
The opportunity to remain involved in the game that has meant so much to me, the camaraderie in the locker room and on the range, the chance to witness up close these talented youngsters who strive to reach the "BIG Tour" with those dreams and aspirations which I once had, all fulfilling aspects of being an analyst on the Golf Channel. I walked away from the game at the perfect time, having no regrets, no animosity or hard feelings towards the game and anybody associated with it. The game has afforded me so many wonderful opportunities, to have the chance to offer my opinions and insights during the broadcasts which hopefully enhance the viewer's enjoyment and potentially have them gain a little knowledge along the way.
