What they said: Rookie of the Year Andres Romero

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Editor's note: Andres Romero learned of his selection as the 2008 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year while at home in Tucuman, Argentina. He took some time out from his vacation to answer these questions from PGA TOUR media official Nelson Silverio.

PGATOUR.COM: What are your thoughts on winning the PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Award?

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Andres Romero won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2008.

ROMERO: I'm very proud of this award which is so important. To receive this award during my first year on TOUR is incredible. To be on a list alongside Tiger (Woods), Vijay (Singh) and Ernie (Els) is a privilege and something that motivates me to help accomplish the goals I've set for next year.

PGATOUR.COM: You're part of an exciting young group of players with guys like Adam Scott and Anthony Kim. How does it feel to be part of this up and coming group? How do you feel about the talk that this group of young players, which you are a part of, will challenge Tiger when he comes back?

ROMERO: To be included in this group of young challengers makes me happy, I didn't think I would be considered part of this group so soon, but it's a nice compliment. Just a few short years ago I looked at Tiger with awe and as someone to imitate, and now to be considered among a group of players that could potentially challenge him when he comes back is incredible. This year helped me realize that I can play at the same level as the best players in the world and hopefully I can continue on that path.

PGATOUR.COM: What are your plans for 2009?

ROMERO: Every year I look to grow. The idea is to plan my schedule so I can peak at the major championships (and) hopefully to put myself in a position to be a contender at some of the year's most important tournaments.

PGATOUR.COM: What are your objectives for next season?

ROMERO: I want to find some more consistency and besides being competitive in the majors, try and end the season among the top-20 players in the world.

PGATOUR.COM: Where does making the field for THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola and winning the FedExCup rank among your goals for 2009?

ROMERO: I think they go hand-in-hand. If I perform well in the majors, as is my goal for this upcoming season, it will put me in a good position to compete in the FedExCup. Once I make the field of those final important events, I will want to win them. The best example is Camilo (Villegas) who had an brilliant finísh to his season.

PGATOUR.COM: What do you think the wins last year by Camilo and you have done for golf in South America? Are there more players from Argentina we should watch out for?

ROMERO: I think golf in South América has grown tremendosly. Every day there are more players and whether they turn professional or not, it's still positive for the game. Players from Argentina sometimes like playing in Europe first since there are many other Argentine players on that Tour, while in Colombia and in some other countries they decided to go to university in the U.S. and get to the PGA TOUR that way. But I think what is important is that there are more and more players picking up the game.

PGATOUR.COM: Talk about your win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleáns. Is there one memory that stands above the rest?

ROMERO: It was a very special week. I remember specifically on Saturday, after the suspensión in play due to rain, saying to the people accompanying me that week, 'Wouldn't it be nice to post a score early and wait and see what happens?' And that's how it ended up working out. The wait after my round was peculiar in that I wasn't nervous, even knowing that I was about to potentially win my first PGA TOUR event. The Zurich representatives treated us marvelously all week. We attended the functions thrown by the host and had a lot of fun and (they) treated me as a champion even before I won the event, I'm very appreciative of their efforts and I thank them.

PGATOUR.COM: You'll be remembered not only for your win but about the way you were downloading music off of iTunes while awaiting a playoff. Can you talk a little bit about that?

ROMERO: That's the way I am. I wasn't nervous. The group that was with me kept giving me scoring updates, I called home to speak to my family. They, along with some of my friends, kept telling me to go practice, but I felt confident. When Peter Lonard arrived on the 18th hole I went out to hit some balls but it was only to pass the time.

PGATOUR.COM: How would you analyze your 2009 PGA TOUR season?

ROMERO: It was a very positive year, being that I've been growing as a player and reaching my objectives, and 2008 was the culmination of most of my goals, such as winning on the PGA TOUR, playing in all four majors and making the cut and maintaining an Official World Golf Ranking among the top players in the world. Anyways, I just hope to continue to improve and build upon this year.

PGATOUR.COM: What were the highlights of the season for you?

ROMERO: Winning in New Orleáns was very important. It was a perfect week in that I made very few errors. But also to have played The Masters with Phil Mickelson (in the first two rounds), with Tiger (in the third) and with (Padraig) Harrington, who's won three majors, was a great experience. Besides, I finished in the top 10 at the PGA Championship and the Masters.

PGATOUR.COM: What surprised you the most on the PGA TOUR this year?

ROMERO: The comforts and the way they treat the players is something that I'm very appreciative of -- we never lack anything while at a tournament. Also the quality of the courses we get to play week-in and week-out is first-class.

PGATOUR.COM: What does it mean that your fellow players voted on this award?

ROMERO: It's a great honor and a very special acknowledgement. I think I surprised them a little bit because they didn't know me and my style of play. I have a very natural swing and play a lot by feel. I think that's something that grabbed their attention.

PGATOUR.COM: Why do you feel your profile was raised as the season went along last year?

ROMERO: I'm a player with a very unique style -- very aggressive -- so the same way I make a lot of birdies, I also make a lot of bogeyis. Everytime I see a shot, I try it. It's very difficult for me to play it safe and I think people enjoy that.