Q. Earlier today we were talking about low scores being shot on this tour. Any idea why that is? Could you give me your input on that?
MARK McCUMBER: I tell you, for what it's worth, when I got out here, I was under the impression -- and all of the senior players teasing me, "How do you like our short golf courses?"
I was under the impression these were 6,500 yards, tight, not much rough. But I tell you, there have been some weeks, not just the PGA at Akron was unbelievable, par-70 over 7,000 yards. The U.S. Open was long, but a lot of our regular events are longer than I expected. The holes were located extremely to the edges. I mean, just as much as the PGA TOUR.
I do think that guys are comfortable. You have a guy comes here, starts free-wheeling, there's a little different atmosphere, there's no cut. The greens, as a rule, are not quite as fast and a little bit softer. Some weeks, the rough is almost as high as the regular tour, not always.
I honestly believe what the reason would be is that I think the guys are more comfortable, I really do. I really do. And the courses are just a little bit shorter.
But with the new technology, go look at the stats, what Gil Morgan and these guys are averaging on driving distance, 280; that's long. But and it's not fudged, either. That's true yardages.
Q. Seem like they are more comfortable because of their station in life?
MARK McCUMBER: I really do. I do. I think most of them, when you're on -- when you're on the regular, the PGA TOUR, you are proving yourself each week; you're having to make a cut to play the week, that's a giant thing. If you're 3-over after Friday, you don't like it, but you realize if you don't play the next 33 holes at 5-under, you're gone and that adds a little bit of pressure.
I think most of these guys, you look at Hale Irwin who is a world-class player, Hall of Famer on the PGA TOUR, he's stayed in good condition. These guys workout, they train, but they are set in life. They are not out trying to make a paycheck. They are not trying to prove themselves, other than to themselves, and I think that takes a little bit of weight off, I really, really do.
Then you've got guys, like the guy I played with, Walter Hall, who never played the Tour, who feels like a kind in a candy store, who have tremendous talent. Like a Jim Albus did when he was younger out here, Tom Wargo. These guys, like probably in any sport, somebody who could have played in the majors, but after college ball didn't play, raised a family. They get their second chance and I think they are just like -- they are in ecstasy. I know Walter is grateful and loving it and playing every week. That builds a lot of confidence. That's my guess.
Q. Do you think that playing a lot of events this summer, this is your best chance to do well, playing a lot?
MARK McCUMBER: Well, I hate to admit it, but my brother has always told me that. Yeah, in my perfect world we could may one week take one off, play two, take three off, but it is hard to build momentum. The one thing that's hitting me is momentum is a vital part of sports, period. You can see it. A guy makes a few shots in basketball, he starts making everything. You see a guy miss a few and he makes nothing.
You cannot come out here, tee it up on Friday -- I've been shooting -- I've been starting bad almost every week. And then like Canada last week, I bogeyed the last, then I shoot 1-over, then I shoot 5-under on the weekend and there you are in the middle of the pack, 3th or 32nd.
But when you know you are going to play four or five in a row, or play three take one off and play three again, it gives you momentum.
My little boy, Tyler, came out. He's been out with me the whole last month. So I think when you know you are going to be here playing, you don't feel quite that, "I've got to play good this week because I'm going to be off for three more weeks." So I do think that helps mentally and I've got to get back my golf muscles. I've got it get back, my caddie and I discussed it -- inaudible -- "should I and it here, 8-iron, 9-iron?"
He says, "Mark, you've played all your life, just what do you think?" I've tried to take less time lining up putts, less time chipping and just hit, look and react. And I've got to build confidence to do that. Confidence comes from playing.
It's only the first round, and who knows what will happen tomorrow. I expect to play good, but I know this is a wonderful stepping stone. I had all the right feelings. I felt the first two weeks pressure mounting as I played in a round and usually could not wait to get to the first hole. Today was the first day I could not wait to go. I wish there were more holes to play, and that's the way I want to feel.
End of FastScripts....
