New Game, New Thinking: Nick Flanagan profile

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Surfing and golf usually aren't spoken in the same sentence, but for rookie Nick Flanagan, they remain passions that require his constant attention. Of course, the surfing dude from Australia had to turn in his surfboard for the most part since moving to Scottsdale; but there's a good chance he'll be hitting the waves in the very near future as we find out in his interview with PGATOUR.COM freelancer Rudy Klancnik, who spoke with Flanagan as part of the New Game, New Thinking series.

PGATOUR.COM: OK, I actually tried surfing on my last mini-vacation to Laguna Niguel a couple of weeks back. I was terrible. It looked so easy when I watched the 10-year-old girl jump up on her board and stay on the wave all the way to the shore. Then I lumber out there, and it's a complete disaster. I thought I was going to drown myself a couple of times.

FLANAGAN: -- Surfing is tough business. There's nothing easy about it. I surfed a bunch as a kid and really have a passion for it. But when I don't surf for a few months -- like has been the case lately -- my arms are like noodles after paddling around for 40 minutes or so. After a few days, I'm back up to speed. Surfing is great for upper-body strength.

PGATOUR.COM: And balance. That was the toughest part. I couldn't figure out how to pop up on my board in the smallest of waves.

FLANAGAN: That's really the key. That's how you should start out. First, you need a long, thick board. Then practice a ton in the white water and work on getting up on the board with one move. It's not easy, so it takes some time to get the hang of it. But once you do, you'll absolutely love it.

PGATOUR.COM: I guess the same can be said for the TOUR, right?

FLANAGAN: Yes, big time. Being on the TOUR this year has been spectacular. Great hotels, great tournaments, atmosphere. ... The whole deal has been tremendous. But it hasn't been great for me on the course. I haven't played like I know I can.

PGATOUR.COM: What's been the culprit for your struggles?

FLANAGAN: Honestly, I've just put too much pressure on myself, which is nothing new. I'm usually a really good putter and have good distance control with my short irons. But out here this year, I'm ranked something like 180th in putting, which is ridiculous. It's just been me putting too much pressure on every shot and not relaxing.

PGATOUR.COM: Of late, you've been a cut-making machine, which has to hold some consolation.

FLANAGAN: Yes, I've made several cuts lately, which got me to the weekend. In fact, I was in the last group in Milwaukee. But I shot even par and ended up finishing 11th. Again, I'm making it to the weekends, but I'm losing out on more money by not playing well when it really counts.

PGATOUR.COM: As a single rookie on the TOUR, what fills your time away from the course during a given week?

FLANAGAN: I spend a lot of time with Nathan Green, a third-year guy, who travels with his wife. We go to dinner together and have good times. I also hang with a lot of the young guys, especially guys I met on the Nationwide Tour. Out there, it's more of a social tour since guys can't usually afford to travel with the wives. There's more hanging out with one another.

PGATOUR.COM: Your journey to the TOUR didn't take too long, so you must be encouraged that you've had some early success out here.

FLANAGAN: Yes, overall I'm thrilled to be out here, but I just want to play better. But don't we all? I received a "Battlefield Promotion" by winning three times on the Nationwide Tour, so that proves I can consistently play well under pressure. I need to get back to that feeling.

PGATOUR.COM: I know you're missing out on the FedExCup these next four weeks. What's your plan as you wait for the next tourney?

FLANAGAN: I'm going back home and getting away from it for a while. It'll be good to hang with my mate, go to the beach and just relax.