Confidence is such a fragile and precious thing.
When I'm swinging well, nobody hits the golf ball any better than I do.
You do what you need to if you're serious about playing great golf.
It's easy at times to win golf tournaments and shoot 59, and sometimes it's hard to post an 85.
I realize what it means to be financially comfortable, and I want to be that. But I'm lucky enough to be in that position. And I'm also careful. I save 38 percent of my earnings after expenses, before taxes.
Confidence comes from hard work. It comes from facing different situations and making putts. It comes from knowing you've worked on the right things, so when you get under the gun, you can execute what you've practiced.
I've seen the bottom and I know the difference between good golf and bad golf.
You've got to make an effort on your own. Some people don't even try.
The best way to explain it is that I'm not yearning anymore, on or off the course. I appreciate what I have. I feel like I'm blessed.
I didn't do anything spectacular when I won the Open in 2001. I hit the ball good, not great. I putted good, not great, but I think I missed maybe two putts inside eight feet all week.
I've just been working hard, trying to get some good stuff to come out.
I think about what I say. I don't give stock answers. I'm not trying to cultivate an image with the public, like several of the top players do.
A lot of players are slow to change, you're playing good,( you think) why do I want to mess with that ? It takes a lot of testing, a lot of practice and observation of the ball, especially under competitive circumstances, to realize this is a better product and I need to start using it.
The way I grew up playing, and the way most Americans have grown up, is that you hit the ball up in the air and then it stops where it lands.
But just like I've always said when people complain about tee times, 'I just want a tee time. Just give me one so I can play.
I know the other side. I know what awful golf is.
I love hitting the ball, controlling the ball. And yeah, even the roar of the crowd. I enjoy the roar of the crowd probably less than some players and more than some. But I'm not out here to be a celebrity.
I'm content. I want to have better success in the tournaments than I've had, but I know I'm playing well, so I'm happy with that.
At the U.S. Open, you're going to make bogeys.
I was in the middle of the golf tournament trying to make birdies and I was just having a blast. So that probably qualifies as having a greater appreciation.
I may not look it when I'm playing, but I think I'm a fun guy to hang with when I'm relaxing.
I went to Q-school knowing that I could play well and get through.
I slowly continued to compensate for the physical problems I was having and ended up completely destroying my swing, my set-up, my posture. Everything was gone.
And if people do like me, I think it's because I'm a stand-up guy.
But you know, I'm just not a quitter.
