Q. Jim, congratulations on getting back in the winner's circle at the Chevron World Challenge and just another great year on the tour. What was the turning point in your game last year and what was your most unforgettable golf shot you hit?
A. Turning Point in 2009 – My turning point came in the Fed Ex Cup playoffs at the Barclays Tournament. Leading up to the playoffs I had an ok year, but in the second round of Barclays, I called a penalty on myself for having an extra wedge in my bag. I was able to finish the day strong and wound up finishing 16th at the tournament. From there I had three consecutive top 10 finishes in the final 3 playoff events. Most unforgettable golf shot of 2009 – I have a short memory, so this one is easy – my putt on the 17th hole on Sunday of the Chevron World Challenge. I made a 40 foot, double breaker for par and then followed it up with a birdie on the 18th hole for the win.
Q. You are such a fierce competitor and with all the accolades you receive for your consistency as a player, it would lead me to believe you would like to be in the winner's circle even more often than you already have been. Especially after the experience of winning a major and with the number of tour victories, you have accomplished. So, how many more tournaments and majors have you envisioned yourself winning and what will it take to satisfy your competitive drive?
A. Obviously I am disappointed that I haven’t won in the past two years. I don’t have any exact goals for how many more wins I hope to have before I retire. My goals are always focused around continuing to get better and improve my game. I am proud of the fact that when the time comes for me to retire, I know that I will have worked as hard as I could and gave my all.
Q. It is quite a lifestyle living on the road all the time, living out of your suitcase and eating out all the time. You have been doing it for a long time and certainly have a routine figured out. Do you enjoy the travel at all and now that your kids are getting older how often do they travel with you?
A. My kids traveled full time with me before they began school. Now that they are in school, they stay home during the school year. The PGA Tour schedule works well though as in the spring, we are very close to home, and they can visit me on the weekends of the tournaments; the Fed Ex Cup playoffs also helped with how often I can see them. I enjoyed traveling more before kids with my wife as we were able to visit a lot of interesting places and meet a lot of interesting people. I still look forward to traveling when it comes to vacationing, but travel is never fun when it’s based around work.
Q. A few rules of golf that we all have experienced and some point and time of our tournament playing days would be playing the wrong ball, signing an incorrect scorecard and carrying more clubs than allowed by the rules. Late last summer during The Barclays event in the third round, I understand that you realized on the second hole that you had an extra wedge in your bag giving you 15 clubs. By the rules of golf, you were penalized four strokes however you still ended up shooting a 70. The mistake ended up costing you over $130,000.00 and valuable Fed Ex points. The question for you is that after realizing what happened and being penalized most players would have blown up, lost their composure, focus, concentration, and shot 80. How did you handle it so well and what did you learn about your experience and yourself?
A. The mistake never should have happened; unfortunately, it was a situation where both my caddie and I forgot about the club. I was trying a new wedge because the course was very wet; it was an oversight on both of our parts. When mistakes like this happen, it’s important to have a good attitude and try and put the situation behind you as quickly as possible. It took me about four holes to get over it, but I did and moved on. Two weeks later I finished 2nd in Chicago, which ultimately put me in position to try and win the championship which is all I can ask of myself.
Q. It seems to be such a fine line from being a top ten PGA Tour player to losing your card. What do you feel some of the biggest attributes are in the differences of these two types of players?
A. A lot has to do with experience. The players who get caught up in their mechanics and methods struggle the most. Guys who work on scoring on the course and their overall course management are the ones who stick around year after year.
Q. I am sure you have some great memories and stories about your days at UofA playing on the golf team. Your former golf coach Rick LaRose was recently honored as an inductee into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame. You are a big supporter of the UofA program, which we appreciate. Please tell us what the program meant to you and what one of your most memorable experiences was.
A. The University of Arizona's program was perfect for me. Arizona had very good weather, various places to both practice and play and a great business program where I ultimately earned my degree. Coach LaRose treated us, as if we were adults. He let us prepare and practice in our own methods and focused on teaching us about course management (how to get around the golf course). He didn’t try to teach or alter my swing, but rather just tried to make me better. Personally, he helped me mature as a person which ultimately helped my professional game.
Q. Your father Mike was a PGA golf professional and started you in the game of golf. Mike to this day is still very involved in your career. Tell us what role your father plays in your game and the business, but most of all give some insight on what an impact it has meant to you to have your father by your side throughout your professional life.
A. I can’t say enough about how my family (wife, kids & parents) have helped me. My dad has always been my teacher; he’s the person I go to for help whenever I have an issue with my game. He also handles my business affairs, taxes and helps me with course design projects. From an organizational aspect, he allows me to focus on golf. My mom is also involved on the business side, which allows me to spend more time with my parents than most have the opportunity to do.
Q. What has been the main key to the success of your professional golf career?
A. The main key to my success has always been the ability to search for my weaknesses and always try and improve them. No matter how good or bad a year I have, there are always parts of my game that I try to improve; I try to turn my weaknesses into strengths.
Q. Jim when you are done playing competitive golf, and you look back on your life and your career. What do you do you think you will be remembered for and what would you want people to remember most about Jim Furyk?
A. First and foremost I will always be remembered for my swing. I’m not ready to close the book quite yet, but ultimately I hope to be remembered as someone that represented the game of golf very well.
Q. If there were one piece of advice you would give to a junior golfer that aspires them to be a professional golfer like yourself, it would be.
A. Too many junior golfers are focused on their mechanics on the range. They need to spend less time on the range and more time chipping and putting. Junior golfers need to learn the game by playing and competing. There is a very big difference between hitting well and playing well.
Rick Price is the Operations Coordinator for the
Southern Chapter of the Southwest Section PGA. He can be reached at (520) 290-1742
or southernchapterpga@yahoo.com.
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