Dec. 29, 2006Editor's note: Michael Putnam had five top-10 finishes on the Nationwide Tour in 2006, finishing 17th on the money list. Thanks to his strong performance, Putnam will be competing on the PGA TOUR in 2007. He spoke to PGATOUR.com for this Q&A.
PGATOUR.com: Tell me three things not related to golf that you consider must-dos before you're on the wrong side of the divot?
Putnam: "Some day I want to go skydiving even though I don't know if I could get out of the plane."
"I want to go to Australia and box a kangaroo."
"I want to have a family."
PGATOUR.com: What is your wildest golf dream?
Putnam: "Walking down the 10th fairway at all four majors with five-shot leads."
PGATOUR.com: What aspect of the Nationwide Tour will you miss most next season?
Putnam: "I'm going to miss the camaraderie. Everyone has the same goal of reaching the Top 20 and for the most part everyone supports each other in that quest."
PGATOUR.com: What was your welcome-to-professional-golf moment?
Putnam: "It came on the first tee at the (Buick Championship) last year. (Putnam's first event on the PGA TOUR). I was shaking so hard I could barely tee my ball up. But I did make a birdie.'"
| Inside the Numbers |
| Michael Putnam in 2006 |
| Events played |
26 |
| Wins |
0 |
| Seconds |
2 |
| Thirds |
2 |
| Top-10s |
5 |
| Top-25s |
10 |
| Cuts made |
20 |
| Scoring Avg. |
70.47 |
| Earnings |
$230,049 |
|
PGATOUR.com: You've been granted a 60-minute sit-down with any figure in the world of golf, living or dead. What's your first question -- and to whom would you address it?
Putnam: "To Byron Nelson. I would ask him how he won 18 tournaments in one season and why he quit professional golf so soon after."
PGATOUR.com: Describe the menu, from soup to nuts, of your next title celebration dinner. And name the wine pairings.
Putnam: "The appetizer would be crab cakes. I'd have Caesar salad, filet mignon cooked medium, an Outback Steakhouse baked potato loaded. For dessert I'd have a chocolate fountain with strawberries and cheesecake."
PGATOUR.com: Name five songs in your iPod.
Putnam: "There are so many. I can't think of individual songs, but here are who I listen to most: Switch Foot, Mark Broussard, Johnny Lang, Three Doors Down and Life House."
PGATOUR.com: Other than winning a tournament, what would make next year a success?
Putnam: "Finishing in the Top 30 and making THE TOUR Championship."
PGATOUR.com: The first time you're paired with Tiger, what would you say to break the ice?
Putnam: "Yo, Tiger, I'm going to kick your tail all around the golf course today! Then I'd smile and laugh."
PGATOUR.com: Who would you most like to hit balls next to, and why?
Putnam: "Ernie Els, because I think the rhythm of his swing would put me in a good rhythm. I might have good tempo the rest of my life."