“I keep in mind I walked to the locker room after profitable. I used to be preparing for the prize giving. I hear this rest room flushing and the cubicle door opening. Tiger walksout and is washing his face subsequent to me.
I mentioned to him, ‘Nicely performed, it was powerful on the market. I’m glad to be a serious winner.’ He mentioned again to me, ‘Yeah a little bit of luck.’ I turned again to him and mentioned, ‘It was greater than luck, mate. It was ability and expertise.’
We form of simply laughed it off and parted methods. Nevertheless, after that, he turned upat the prize giving and congratulated me. That was a tremendous gesture as usually the man who completed second would by no means flip up on the winner’s circle.”
Golf Digest as soon as revealed an article saying you have been one of the underwhelming US Open champions. Did that annoy you?
“It doesn’t trouble me what they suppose. I’ve the US Open trophy in my residence.I’ll all the time be part of the US Open membership. That’s extra vital to me.
There’s solely been one thing like 280 winners of a serious championship. I don’t care what some man writes in Golf Digest.”
What impression did your victory have in New Zealand?
“It was large. After I received, I wished to go residence and share my success with my individuals. I wished to encourage extra youngsters to play golf in New Zealand the place rugby is the large factor.
There was a large parade for me in Wellington. 150,000 individuals turned up. The largest for the reason that Beatles got here within the seventies.”
Was the eye you bought an excessive amount of?
“I’m a really shy man. I didn’t like dwelling within the fishbowl. I took benefit ofthe consideration by elevating cash for my charities.
I acquired distracted and my golf recreation suffered. I wasn’t practising or going to the health club. I felt like I had climbed Mount Everest.
My aim was to win a serious and present individuals Māori’s play golf. I am going residence now, and I see my neighborhood taking part in golf. I broke that mould.”
Do you’ve any regrets?
“Sure and no. In fact I’d like to be a multi main winner. However, look, I’m a US Open champion. I’ve had an important life.
I’ve met fantastic individuals by way of golf. Rock stars, film stars, presidents. It’s been a tremendous rocket journey. Now I’m having fun with life in Spain and chilling out.”
While you retired in 2012, did you’ve sufficient by that time?
I used to be going by way of some private issues with a divorce. I wished to see my youngsters rising up.
After I was taking part in, I by no means noticed them. They suffered throughout that point. I wasn’t taking part in effectively at that time both.
So it was a simple choice. I actually loved my time away from golf for eight years.”
What’s it like taking part in on the Legends Tour?
“It’s nice. I’m taking part in a number of rounds of golf with mates I’ve recognized for 30 years.
It’s very sociable. I simply ensure that to take pleasure in it. That’s what my life is about now.
However I’m totally centered on my golf academy in Spain. I take nice pleasure out of instructing youngsters in regards to the recreation. I all the time wished to present again to golf.”
