Interview with Kevin Na
Q: What one tip (physical and/or mental) would you give amateurs to increase their distance off the tee?
A: First of all, I think it’s important to make sure you’re playing with clubs that are built right for you. And second, amateurs need to focus more on flexibility.
Q: You’re standing on the 18th tee Sunday with a one shot lead. What’s your swing thought as you address the ball?
A: I’ve got a few right now, but the main one for me is not to get too quick, which I think everyone could benefit from…and take a deep breath before you swing.
Q: Is there one piece of advice or tip someone gave you along the way that sticks with you?
A: Yes. It doesn’t matter what status you have, it just matters how good you are. It doesn’t matter where you play, if you play well enough, more opportunities will become available.
Q: How do you stay motivated and/or passionate about what you do?
A: It’s hard because of the number of tournaments we play and it becomes a similar routine each week, so it’s easy to become numb. What I try to do is go in to each tournament thinking of the impact it would have on my life and career if I won. That gets me going.
Q: What do you do for fun away from the course?
A: I like to hang out with my friends and go to the movies and I like to go back to Korea whenever I get the chance.
Q: What magazines do you read regularly? What TV shows do you watch?
A: I watch quite a bit of TV, including Korean television. In the States, I watch Friends, King of Queens, Seinfeld, and a bunch of the other old sitcoms.
Q: If you could play a round of golf with three other people, who would they be (living or deceased)?
A: Ben Hogan, Tiger and Bobby Jones
Q: If you could switch jobs with one person, who would it be and why?
A: It’s hard to find jobs like the one I have now, but I wouldn’t mind trying a normal 9-to-5 job for a while, where you go the office. I think that could be interesting.
Q: Do you have any superstitions? Any lucky rituals or items you keep in your pocket and/or golf bag?
A: I consider it a routine more than superstition. I carry the same coins in my pocket to mark my ball until they run out of luck and then I’ll switch it up. I also carry six tees and a divot tool in my pocket.
Q: Have you ever had a hole-in-one and if so, what were the circumstances?
A: I’ve actually had three, all before the age of 13! I had one when I was 11 and two when I was 12 but none in a tournament so I think I’m due.
Q: Did you treat yourself to anything special after cashing your first professional paycheck?
A: I didn’t do anything special with the first one, but after I cashed a few checks on Tour I bought a Mercedes S500.
Q: Favorite event:
A: The Memorial and Wachovia
Q: Favorite city:
A: I like Dallas and Phoenix and of course Vegas is always a fun week
Q: Favorite movie:
A: I watch so many, but “Gladiator” comes to mind first
Q: Favorite food:
A: Korean BBQ
Q: Favorite restaurant:
A: Any place that has Korean BBQ
1 comment October 10th, 2006