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WGC AMERICAN EXPRESS CHAMPIONSHIP


November 4, 1999


Mark James


ANDALUCIA, SPAIN

GORDON SIMPSON: Well, Mark, nice to see you here today, purely as a golfer. Are you enjoying your freedom now after the captaincy?

MARK JAMES: Delightful.

GORDON SIMPSON: Obviously you're leading in the clubhouse. Was this a surprise to you or have you been playing nicely?

MARK JAMES: I've been playing right for most of the year. I didn't play particularly well today, I didn't 3-putt and I hit it pretty close on the greens. I struggled through and made a pretty good save at the last, as well.

GORDON SIMPSON: What was your record in the Volvo Masters?

MARK JAMES: I think my average score was about 78.

GORDON SIMPSON: So this is a surprise?

MARK JAMES: Yes, definitely overachieved. I'm certainly not overconfident.

Q. Mark, this has been your first time to actually see some of the American Ryder Cup players, have you spoken to any of them, and if so, could you share some of the conversations about that?

MARK JAMES: I've spoken to all of them I've bumped into. We haven't discussed the Ryder Cup. I think everyone said all they want to say. And I think we're leaving it as it is now. And some of us are probably agreeing to disagree on certain aspects. But I think the time for discussing what we've done is gone. And we're all trying to get on with playing golf.

Q. When was the last time you 3-putted?

MARK JAMES: The last time I 3-putted? I didn't 3-putt today. I don't know, I had 37 putts the first two rounds last week, 34 the last round. I've got about 12, 3-putts probably last week.

Q. You had no 3-putts at all today. This is possibly a course as difficult --

MARK JAMES: Yes, but I only had two long putts, I think. One hit six feet short, one eight feet past.

Q. Have you change putters at all?

MARK JAMES: Since when?

Q. Since last week?

MARK JAMES: I used 2 or 3 last week. I'm using one today that I finished off last week with, purely because it's shorter, when I put it in the bag, I can't see it. (Laughter).

Q. During the time we were waiting for you, why is this season proving so good when you've been doing it so long?

MARK JAMES: Because I'm a slow learner.

Q. I don't think you expected this season?

MARK JAMES: I thought it wouldn't affect me too badly, because I can switch off from things. And on the course I'm not one to concentrate for four and a half hours, I can lose my tempo and just switch back in a couple of seconds. I thought I would be able to cope with it. It was still a nice surprise when I started playing well early on this year. If I putted a bit better, I really would have had a very good year. From tee-to-green I've been fairly safe and pretty solid. So it's pleasing, really.

Q. Mark, how important is it with the high winds to get a good underpass, when some people are really being blown around?

MARK JAMES: It depends on exactly how bad this gets. A sort of day when you shoot 77, it's hard to come back. This is one course where a good player can come back. I've seen people shoot 62, which seems more incredible when you come here. You have to be a really good golfer on this course.

Q. Mark, do you think we're placing unrealistic limits on players with regard to age? I'm thinking of Randy Floyd, who only relatively recently played Ryder Cup at over 50. You seem to think rather differently with age?

MARK JAMES: I think it's a question of desire. When you've been doing the same thing that involves an awful lot of traveling and work for 20, 25 years, it starts to get a bit wearing. And as you get older you have to -- you lose -- if you're not careful you can lose your fitness. To play the same number of tournaments now as I did when I was 23, I have to work out a lot to maintain the level of fitness so I can practice and stay alert on the course. And that all takes time. And also you get to an age where you have other things you want to do, other distractions. It does get more difficult. But I think the fact that a player is of a certain age should not preclude him from playing to a certain standard. But things do tend to get in the way.

Q. Mark, the American players were very open last week in saying that the Payne Stewart tragedy brought them closer together and made them realize what a fraternity golf is. Do you feel that way and do you think the European team is closer now to the American counterparts as a result of this tragedy?

MARK JAMES: I think they've always thought themselves a fraternity, and we've always been pretty close.

GORDON SIMPSON: If you will, just take us through these four birdies and two bogies today.

MARK JAMES: No, I think it was -- it could have been. 6, just off the right of the green, chipped up, 2-putts. 8, driver, sand wedge to 6 feet, 1-putt. 9, driver, 5-iron, short, chipped to 6 feet, two putts. 11, driver, 4-iron, 6-iron, 15 feet, 1-putt. 13, driver, 5-iron to two feet, 1-putt. 14, 2-iron, 5-iron, 2 feet, 1-putt.

Q. What is your fitness regime, Mark?

MARK JAMES: I start off the day with -- I reach over and press down the alarm. And I jog to the bathroom.

GORDON SIMPSON: Is that difficult?

MARK JAMES: I don't really have a daily thing. I work out relatively little when I'm on Tour, and I stopped running a couple of months ago, so I've done very little of it. Early in the year when we're near beaches or in hotels with good gyms I'll work out. I work out at home nearly every day, there's no other way. If you want to compete with guys that are 23, you have to be fit, if not fitter, than they are. It's as simple as that.

Q. Do you have fitness equipment in a special room at home, Mark?

MARK JAMES: Not really, no. I go to the gym. If I do it at home, I get fed up after ten minutes and go to the fridge.

End of FastScripts...

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