An Interview With s10

October 18, 2010

DAVID TOMS: It certainly helps me, An interview with: though it's not a long golf course. Some of the par 3s were pretty tough and long. There were a couple of long holes out there that were into the DAVID TOMS wind as well. If you can get by those, it's not too bad. ERNIE ELS The short holes, you have to be a lot of GRAEME McDOWELL times in the section of the fairway to have your best chance to attack. Like I said, you're going to MARTIN KAYMER have to hit the fairway. For me personally, there's some bunkers on the golf course that I can't carry that maybe I'm THE MODERATOR: David Toms is with not sure about Graeme, he's a little bit longer than us from his first experience on this golf course. me, but two of the guys, Martin and Ernie, won't DAVID TOMS: Yes. have any problem carrying some of those fairway THE MODERATOR: Maybe some bunkers. That will be an advantage to them. thoughts on what you saw out there today. Overall the golf course is fairly tight and DAVID TOMS: First thought, it certainly the length is not that big a factor overall. We helps to play this golf course a little bit. There's a should all be able to play pretty equally. lot of areas that you got to know where you're going off the tee. Q. Did you get a chance to play 16? My caddie did a good job yesterday What were your thoughts? walking the golf course, so we didn't go in totally DAVID TOMS: Yeah, it was almost 250 blind. With the breeze we had today, which was today into the wind. I hit a 3-wood in the front right really not much of a breeze I would say for bunker, hit it up on the hill. It came back. Not a Bermuda, it was a challenge off the tee to get your bad spot to play from. Certainly worse spots to be line, especially on some of the shorter holes. on the hole. But I enjoyed the golf course. It's in great Could be a pivotal hole in both rounds, but shape. Greens are rolling really nice. The rough is certainly coming down on the second round, if not very deep, but you don't really want to be in it. you're trying to protect the lead. You can look at With our grooves that we're having to use these what Lucas' plaque says on the tee, probably sums days, certainly the flyer lies comes into play. With it up. the greens being fairly firm, tough to get the ball close to the pin if you're in the rough. You want to Q. Talk about your reaction, what you hit the fairway. That will be the premium to score were doing when learned your invitation to the well the next couple of days. PGA Grand Slam of Golf and take us through THE MODERATOR: David, we have your thought process on what got you here. some questions. DAVID TOMS: First of all, when I got the phone call, they needed to know pretty quick. It Q. I was wondering, it's not the longest was just this past week. So my first thought was, course you will play, the way it sets up you know, I wanted to go, but I just had to figure equalizes it for the four players. out where I was going, first of all. Last time I

01ceace291e66cd2800d36461d8fb 1 9fd.doc visit our archives at asapsports.com played it, it was in Hawaii. I had to know what I He's a golf freak, I'm a cricket freak. You had to do, when I had to be there. know, it's easy to keep both of us happy. He I had a college event that I sponsor in actually came to my wife and my wedding. That's Louisiana. It was actually taking place today and how good a friend he is of ours. tomorrow. We had our ProAm yesterday. So I Nice seeing him on the strip. Actually was there playing in that yesterday. So I wasn't caught me by surprise. I haven't played cricket in able to make it in till last night. 24 years or whatever it is. Last time I think I hit a It was all about the logistics. It was never cricket shot was in Jamaica in '94. At least I made whether or not I wanted to go. Certainly it's an contact. Brian, as you can see, I'm amused. honor to be here. It's a great event. It was just THE MODERATOR: The premiere was about how I was going to get here. pitching? ERNIE ELS: The premiere was bowling at Q. How did you make it happen? Any me, thank goodness not too fast. I could make good anecdotes on how you got this put contact. Actually hit a couple of shots. The one together in such a short amount of time? over there, that looks like I'm playing golf actually DAVID TOMS: Not really. Our biggest (laughter). But we had a bit of fun there. Beautiful concern was was my wife coming. If she was backdrop on the No. 16 tee. Beautiful hole. coming, we had to get somebody to take care of THE MODERATOR: Thank you for that the kids. That's really the only concern. It was insight. Your first look at Port Royal? never really about whether or not I was going to be ERNIE ELS: I really enjoyed it. Obviously here. we didn't have a lot of breeze today, which is really good for golfers. I know the wind can blow here. Q. How about the LSU Tigers and how Today was quite a nice day. they're playing? I think the green-keeping staff must get a DAVID TOMS: They didn't play very well, lot of credit for the golf course. I heard there was a but they won. Seems like that's the story with hurricane that came here a couple weeks ago. every game. As long as you keep winning, that's Obviously it made it tough for them. The green the story in sports. Certainly not how pretty it is. surfaces are really good, world standard. The Style points are good for the rankings. In the end if fairways are great, too. you keep winning, that's what it's all about. The golf course itself, if you put it in play, THE MODERATOR: Thank you very you can make some birdies. It can be quite a fun much. course, especially when the wind's not blowing. DAVID TOMS: All right. See you THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Ernie. tomorrow. Questions, folks. THE MODERATOR: Ernie Els, ladies and gentlemen, joining us at the PGA Grand Slam of Q. Ernie, wondering whether you were Golf in Bermuda. a batsman or a bowler? Ernie, we really don't care about your golf ERNIE ELS: I was actually a bowler, as game today on the golf course, as you can see by you can see with my style there. As a bowler, you the images up on the monitor, we care about your want to think you're the best, but I was not an cricket. Give us a hole-by-hole on actually what opening batsman. I wanted to call myself an was happening and what we're looking up on the all-arounder, but I think I was a worse batsman screen. than a bowler. ERNIE ELS: I just made contact. That's why I'm laughing (laughter). Q. Did you and Brian swap tips while The guy behind you there, his name is you were out there? Brian Lara. The locals will obviously know him. ERNIE ELS: No. He's just a different American media, he's a legend in the game of class. Obviously with golf, he's a lot better player cricket. In his era, he's probably in the top two, now than he was. Obviously he's got a lot more maybe top three players of all time. I got to know time on his hands now that he's kind of retired. Ryan through golf, obviously through cricket. I'm a He's got a very good golf game. cricket fan. When they toured South Africa, we I'd like to try to get him into some of those started knowing each other. celebrity tournaments in the States because I think he can do some damage there with his game.

01ceace291e66cd2800d36461d8fb 2 9fd.doc visit our archives at asapsports.com Q. Has it sunken in? It's been a couple Q. At 40, can you run through how weeks now. motivated you are, how different golf is going ERNIE ELS: It has, you know. I'd like to forward, how much you think you have left in think it's becoming more a bigger deal now that I'm the tank. in there. Yeah, I think in time even more, when ERNIE ELS: Oh, who knows. I feel really you think about it, look at the players that have fresh. You know, the game is what it is. It will beat gotten into the Hall of Fame, obviously there's a you down at times. I've been doing it for such a great group of guys and women. Yeah, I mean, it long time. You're going to have your good weeks really feels special. I never really thought it was and bad weeks. I've had a really wonderful career. going to feel this good. I guess you downplay it I feel like I can still achieve things in this game and until you get elected. It really feels quite special. I want to achieve things in the game. THE MODERATOR: Thank you very As I said before, you know, I think the much, Ernie. technology that I'm playing with Callaway has ERNIE ELS: Thank you. really helped me stay current. I got a really good THE MODERATOR: Graeme McDowell, driver that I use. I can still get it out there 300 ladies and gentlemen, joining us. Graeme, your yards every now and again. The ball I'm playing is first look at Port Royal. How about some thoughts really good. I feel really happy with that. about how it looked out there today? You're going to really see a lot different GRAEME McDOWELL: It's a beautiful golf schedule next year. I'm going to play a lot more in course. I played 18 holes yesterday, as well. the States. I'll still to the odd trip over to Europe Yeah, I like it. It's in great condition. Real and so on, but it's not going to be what I used to be Bermuda rough. The ball really sits down at the doing. So I'm going to have a lot more time to be base of the Bermuda. Real emphasis on hitting on my game and be fresh. fairways because of that. Very hard to control your I feel it's time. I've done it so long, I'll still ball if you don't keep it in play around here. play internationally but not as intensely as I used The greens are quite fast and undulating. to. Just feel I got such a wonderful family life now. You have to position the ball on the correct side of It's really comfortable. I can practice at home right the green as well. I think it's a really good test. through the year now. Feels very, very Certainly when this wind blows around here, this comfortable. golf course is a real test. The desire is very much still there. I still 15 and 16 are probably my favorite holes feel like I can win majors. Until you guys prove me out there, two stunning golf holes. It really is a wrong, I'd like to prove everybody else wrong beautiful, spectacular golf course when you're out basically. I still feel like I've got a lot left. on the ocean there. Going to be a lot of fun the next couple days. Looking forward to it. Q. Hall of Fame question. When you THE MODERATOR: Questions, folks. started your career, was the Hall of Fame on your radar? Q. Can you talk a little bit about what ERNIE ELS: Never. No, never thought it's been like since the end of the Ryder Cup? about it. Basically never really thought it really You've had a huge season, and to cap it off existed. Even if it was there, you know, definitely with the Ryder Cup win, decisive point, what's all I wanted to do was just try and make it that been like? somehow as a player and play internationally, GRAEME McDOWELL: I went up to play whether it was in Europe. Obviously, the ultimate the Dunhill Links Championship. The response was to play on the U.S. TOUR. has been amazing. It means a lot to the European 1994 really took care of that when I won Tour, the Ryder Cup win for us. It's been a big the U.S. Open. Really been privileged to play in year for European Tour golf, myself, Martin and the U.S. and play worldwide really the way I Louis winning the majors. A few guys winning wanted to my whole career. A lot of players don't PGA TOUR tournaments, Rory McIlroy, Lee get that opportunity. Westwood winning tournaments over here. To cap The Hall of Fame was never, ever on my that off with a victory in the Ryder Cup really caps radar screen. a good year for us. Certainly to be part of that team, to be the guy that obviously, when I saw the singles draw

01ceace291e66cd2800d36461d8fb 3 9fd.doc visit our archives at asapsports.com come out, I was No. 12 man, I was a little by my side since I was eight years old picking up a disappointed because I thought I was going to miss golf club, it was great to be able to drag them all all the fun. I certainly didn't miss all the fun in the around the world with me and experience some of end. It was very exciting to be that guy, to be the this cool stuff. guy to have the chance to win the winning point. Being on an island like Bermuda here, It's been great. Obviously it's been playing in probably the best Four Ball in world golf well-received back in Europe. Everyone involved is a pretty special feeling for me to be here. I'm with the tour, the tour officials, players, everyone sure they're pretty proud parents as well. Great to involved, they've been pretty excited about it. be able to give that to them.

Q. When you sit around and think Q. I was wondering, you were talking about this season, you've had a career in one about the pressure of the Ryder Cup, if did it season. How do you compare the Open and change because of the number of people who the final in the Ryder Cup? were relying you in that situation and how that GRAEME McDOWELL: When I compare then translates into when you're playing on the pressure scenario, there's no comparison. I your own on the tour. thought the Ryder Cup was so much more GRAEME McDOWELL: Yeah, for sure. pressure-packed than the U.S. Open. As far as There's no doubt the pressure I was experiencing personal achievement goes the U.S. Open was so that Monday afternoon at the Ryder Cup, you much more for me. The Ryder Cup obviously was know, it was so much more intense than Pebble 12 guys. It was really one point on the Monday is Beach. I kind of say it was nearly 12 times more really all it was. As far as personal achievement, intense because I was playing for 11 teammates the U.S. Open was a huge amount for me to deal and a team captain. The 35,000 European fans with. It took a couple weeks really, a couple of there, European fans, European Tour, everyone quiet moments for it to really sink in. It was really involved, you do feel like there's a bit of weight on emotional for me. your shoulders. I've dreamt of winning major That was probably the toughest day I've championships all my life. It was a really big deal. ever experienced on a golf course. The first 10 or Still is a big deal to me. I'm looking forward to 11 holes were quite surreal because no one was certainly a couple of drinks back home in Ireland paying much attention to our game. Then all of a over Christmas. sudden the sideshow became the big show. It was Like you say, a real chance to reflect on amazing last five or six holes. Certainly one of the what has been a life-changing season for me. I'm greatest moments of my career to hole that putt on concentrating on all the things I need to do to keep 16. getting better and better, be the best player I can Like I say, as far as personal achievement be. I'm certainly not going to sit back. I'm looking goes, the U.S. Open is definitely much more forward to a big year in the States. Looking special from my point of view. But as far as forward to the Race to Dubai. Got to reset my pressure-packed, fun, the adrenaline, all that kind goals, keep going, build on a great season, but it's of stuff, the Ryder Cup, very difficult to compare. been amazing. You're not playing for yourself, you're playing for your team, whereas major championships, they're Q. Is your dad with you this week? much more individual. GRAEME McDOWELL: Yeah, I've got my THE MODERATOR: Graeme McDowell, mum and dad with me. They're kicking back on ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much. the beach this afternoon. GRAEME McDOWELL: Thank you. THE MODERATOR: Martin Kaymer next, Q. They were at the Ryder Cup as well? ladies and gentlemen. Martin, thanks for coming GRAEME McDOWELL: Yeah, my mom in. What did you think of the golf course today? can't really walk 18 holes. We actually had her MARTIN KAYMER: Very different than in buggied around. One of the first times she has Germany. But for me very Florida like, I would say. had a chance to watch me play golf in a long time. The grass is very similar. I think for the I was glad she could be there and experience that. tournament, perfect. I think for the spectators, very You know, to have them there sort of enjoying nice. They can see us playing. Great holes next everything I'm doing, especially my dad has been to the ocean. It's like a paradise, playing golf in

01ceace291e66cd2800d36461d8fb 4 9fd.doc visit our archives at asapsports.com paradise. Obviously for me as a German, we don't my age, you cannot say, I've achieved something really have that. big now and that's it. THE MODERATOR: Questions, folks. THE MODERATOR: Martin, thanks for MARTIN KAYMER: Not the paradise, but joining us. those kinds of golf courses. MARTIN KAYMER: Thank you.

Q. Were you aware in Bermuda they FastScripts by ASAP Sports have an octopus called Squirt. What were your thoughts on that? MARTIN KAYMER: Last year it worked I think for Lucas. Hopefully it works the same way as last year. It's a funny thing. It's a funny story. But we'll see. I can answer that question on Wednesday (laughter).

Q. Martin, a lot of times when guys win their first major, they have a bit of a hangover, don't play their greatest golf afterwards. That's not been the case with you. Can you talk about the roll you've been on, how you've been able to maintain that level of play? MARTIN KAYMER: After the PGA, I took three weeks off to try to realize what happened there. Obviously, it was the biggest win I had in my career, and a huge thing for myself that I could achieve such a big tournament that early in my career. But for me, I actually thought the same what you just mentioned. A lot of guys that win one big tournament, then you kind of don't like really hear from them anymore. But my goal is to win more big tournaments, more majors. That's why I kept practicing, kept playing. I had a good chance to win the Race to Dubai. I had a chance last year already, but because of the go-kart accident, I couldn't win unfortunately. But this year for me it was important to keep playing, keep practicing and win more tournaments. Yeah, fortunately I could win the last that I played. So I think it should never be the end of a career, especially not at my age. I don't know, when you're 40, 45, I don't know what's going to happen then. But that early in my career, I want to win more tournaments, more majors. My biggest goal is to win the British Open one day, win at St. Andrews. That would be fantastic. I could win this last week, the big tournament on the European Tour. My biggest dream would be to win the British Open at St. Andrews. In five years' time, I have another chance. I think it's important you keep having goals, keep practicing. Especially, like I said, at

01ceace291e66cd2800d36461d8fb 5 9fd.doc visit our archives at asapsports.com