I have been writing my "Walking The Fairway" column for approximately one year now, and with each interview we are able to learn about some of the best players in the world.  Up until now, I have interviewed only Amateur players, but I figured that we would come back and begin the year 2007 with a bang.  This month’s interview was with 2005 U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion, Morgan Pressel.  Morgan has created quite a stir in the golf world since she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at the age of 12 - yes 12!  An accomplished junior player, she compiled 11 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) titles, and was named 2005 Player of the Year.  A five-time Rolex Junior All-American, Morgan represented the U.S. in three PING Junior Solheim Cup Championships.  At the age of 17, she became the youngest player to qualify for the LPGA tour after finishing sixth at qualifying school.  Morgan took the time to sit down and answer a few questions.  Enjoy!

Matt Hazzard

Morgan Pressel acknowledges the gallery along the 14th fairway, during the semifinal round of match play at the 2005 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship held at Ansley Golf Club in Roswell, Georgia, Saturday, August 6, 2005. (Copyright USGA/Steve Gibbons)

Morgan Pressel

Name: Morgan Lee Pressel

Birthday: May 23, 1988

Equipment:  Callaway

Eyes: Green

Hair: Blond

Favorite Movie: Anchorman, My Fair Lady

Favorite TV Show: House

Morgan, when did you begin playing golf and who taught you how to play?

Morgan Pressel
I started playing when I was eight.  My grandfather, Herb Krickstein, used to take me out onto the golf course and teach me how to play.  He has been the most influential person in my career.

MH
Why did you choose to play golf?  Why not any of the other major sports?

MP
Golf was really the first game that I learned to play.  I really enjoyed it when I was a kid and enjoyed going out and playing with my family.  I knew I was good at golf and so I started to commit myself to it so I could be the best.

MH
When did you become involved in competitive golf?

MP
I pretty much started playing competitively shortly after I picked up the game and began playing in local junior tournaments. 

MH
At 18-years old you have already had a very successful golf career.  In your mind, what has been the biggest highlight?

MP
Honestly, I would say qualifying for the 2001 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles when I was 12.

MH
Even higher than winning the 2005 U.S. Women’s Amateur?

MP
That was definitely a huge highlight, and it has done a lot for my career.  However, being a professional golfer was something that I always dreamed to do.  So, joining the LPGA tour was also a huge thrill for me.

MH
You mentioned that the 2005 U.S. Women’s Amateur did a lot for your career.  How so?

MP
It has given me a lot of confidence that I can take with me moving forward.  It helped me believe that I could play well at the highest levels.  At the time that I won, I had qualifying school for the LPGA Tour shortly after the Championship, which I did well at.

MH
A couple of months prior to the U.S. Women’s Amateur you finished tied for second in the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open at Cherry Hills Country Club as an Amateur.  What would you say about that experience? 

MP
Well, I had gone into the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open knowing I was capable of competing at a high level.  After seeing that I could play with the best players in the world, it proved a lot to me.  Honestly though, I wasn’t surprised with my performance because I knew I had the ability.

Morgan Pressel during the first round of match play at the 2005 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship held at Ansley Golf Club in Roswell, Georgia. (Copyright USGA/Steve Gibbons)

MH
Well, having been there, I was really impressed with your play.  When you were a junior learning to play, you were involved in the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf program.  What does that program mean to you?

MP
It was very helpful!  The program opens young girls eyes to the game of golf and helps introduce new opportunities to them.  On occasion, I visit some of these programs, and it is so cute to see the girls playing golf.  Especially when they wear their Catch the Spirit hats; it helps the drive to introduce girls to the game.

MH
After seeing the impact the program has had on so many young girls, we can only hope it continues to grow.  Speaking of the LPGA, with one year under your belt, what do you feel you have learned about yourself as a professional golfer?

MP   
I have learned a lot about myself, my game, and how tough it is to compete and win.  I hope to take what I’ve learned over this past year and apply it to 2007.

MH
So what kind of suggestions can you offer a junior golfer looking to play competitively?

MP
The most important thing is to have fun.  You have to try and enjoy the game and its competitive spirit.  It is a great opportunity to learn and while you should obviously take it seriously, you need to enjoy it.  It is definitely tough to balance, but that is what I try to do. 

MH
This is difficult because you are still a young player, but if you could look 50 years down the road, what would you like people to say about you and your impact on golf?

MP
Well, I would want people to say that I was a great competitor and hopefully a great champion.  More importantly, that I was a great influence on everyone and the game as a whole.

MH
Do you have any goals for yourself over the next five years?

MP
I would like to continue to learn and improve with each tournament.  Also, I hope to continue to contend more regularly on tour.  I just hope that I can continue to take steps to be the best player that I can be.

MH
Are there any players you modeled your swing or how you approach the game after?

MP
I think what I have done is taken bits and pieces from the best players’ golf swings.  If my tendencies were one way I would focus on learning the tendencies of a player completely opposite of me.  For example, Annika Sorenstam’s head comes up quickly, whereas mine stays down.  Se Ri Pak loads up her right side.  I tried to learn Seve Ballesteros’ short game as a whole so that I could take the best aspects of each player and apply them to my game.

MH
Every player has some sort of pre-shot routine, what is yours?

MP
I really use a simple routine.  I just take a couple of practice swings, visualize the shot that I want to hit and make sure that I commit myself to it.  If you don’t believe you can hit the shot, it makes it that much more difficult.

MH
So, here is a tough one.  Arnold Palmer’s fans were known as Arnie’s Army.  Now after reading this article, kids across the country are going to become instant fans of Morgan Pressel, if they already aren’t.  So, with that said, what do you want your fans to be known as?

MP
 

Morgan Pressel during the first round of match play at the 2005 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship held at Ansley Golf Club in Roswell, Georgia. (Copyright USGA/Steve Gibbons)

Wow, I really have no clue.  But actually, to tell you a funny story, a couple of months ago the Trump International Golf Club hosted the ADT Championship, which happens to be near where I live.  The club made t-shirts with my face on the back in support, and when I was looking around at the fans, I noticed some kids wearing the t-shirts.  Underneath my picture on the kids’ shirts said “Morgan’s Munchkins.”  I thought that was pretty cute!

MH
That’s a good one, maybe it will catch on!  As is tradition with our final question, what is the one thing you want to say to junior golfers across the country who are reading this article right now about golf?

MP
Remember that golf is just a game and make sure you don’t take it too seriously.

MH
Morgan, on behalf of JuniorLinks.com and the many juniors that read this site, we want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.  We wish you the best of luck in the future and hope you stop by and talk with us again sometime soon!

MP
Thank you everyone for your support.  It was fun.  Bye!