LG SKINS GAME

MERRILL LYNCH SKINS GAME
TRANSCRIPT
Saturday, November 27, 2004

Todd Budnick

It was kind of a quiet day from a skins standpoint, the fewest skins won on a Saturday.  But Adam, you took it with a birdie on the second hole.  Why don't you talk about being the only one able to score today in your first event?

Adam Scott

It was a bit of a surprise to drop it in there from about 40 feet; it was nice to get off and get some skins under my belt, but there weren't too many more to come.  It got a little exciting on the ninth there, but the rock (Annika) over here just rolled it in no problem at all.  We're going to start off tomorrow with a big 10th hole

Todd:

We'll jump to Annika on that one.  That was a big putt for you.  You were very good with the fairways today, but struggled with the irons to the greens.  But you did make a big putt there on nine.

Annika Sorenstam

That was probably the first time I had putted in a few holes, so I was glad to make it when I really needed to.  For me, it was a great day.  I really enjoy playing with these guys.  I couldn't really keep up with them today.  I have to sharpen my game tomorrow.  It's going to be really exciting, so I look forward to it.

Todd:

Freddy, defending champion, shut out for just the fourth time in 11 appearances.  It's not something you're used to out here.

Fred Couples:

It was a great day.  There were a lot of quality shots.  Except for my two balls in the shrubs, we drove it very long and very straight, and there were some great ties.  I tied Tiger on a par 3 and then Adam made a wonderful putt on seven to tie for a huge hole then of course Annika making the putt to tie Adam on nine.  Tomorrow, I have to sharpen my game, too, like Annika says, it's going to be a quick hit so something good will happen. 
 

Todd:
Tiger, putting just seemed to be the story of the day for you?

Tiger Woods:

It was an early Christmas on the first hole.  I missed that little short one and I just didn't really make anything until Freddy and I were in there tight on the par 3, and that was probably the easiest putt I could've possibly had.  It was just straight in.  I had my chances to make some putts early in the round, and I just didn't get it done.

$950,000 on the line tomorrow?

Fred Couples:

I think we're all well aware of that, and $300,000 on the 10th hole.  It adds up pretty quickly, but it's interesting the quality of play.  There were some great putts being made, even though they were short, and it makes it fun.  I was out of the ninth hole.  I saw Adam putt by, and you say, ‘What is he doing?'  You know.  We've got to make two of these, and I figured one of them would be a tap-in.  But tomorrow, like Adam made the one on No. 2, that can easily happen on the 10th hole, and somebody's going to be way, way ahead of the game, and that's what I'm shooting for.

To Adam Scott, was there a relief getting the first skin?

Yeah, it's a good feeling.  It may have settled me down a little bit, but it's nice to get out there and get a skin and not go home tomorrow with nothing.  There's a lot left out there.  Unfortunately, it's only two, but there's 16 more to go tomorrow.

Did you fear getting shut out?

Yeah, a little bit, I guess.  I wouldn't live that one down if I left here without a skin from all my mates.  It was nice to get that out of the way.

To Adam, did you feel more or less pressure being the least known of the foursome?

I was a little nervous today.  That's for sure.  But I went out and played pretty well, I thought.  I made a few birdies, hit some pretty decent shots, so I was happy about that, but I was definitely a little bit nervous making sure I could keep up with these big guys and gals.

To Tiger, will you change anything for tomorrow?

It's the same, try to birdie every hole. 

Will you use the driver on every shot you can?

Approach shots, I probably won't.  It was only one time I didn't hit driver.  I tried to lay it back so I could have a full wedge into that pin that was on the downslope, but it kind of backfired on me. 
 

To Tiger, were the two missed putts mitigated by the fact that no one else was winning skins?

Well, the good thing is that those are still up for grabs.  I missed that little short one on the first hole, which didn't really settle too well for me.  I had a couple other opportunities, but I was also happy that I made two to keep things going and should've made things a little bit easier for Annika on the last hole, but kind of blew that one.  But I had my chances today to get a couple skins and just couldn't do it.

To Annika, what was the effect of the distance gap?

I'm sitting here with probably the longest hitters in golf.  My strength is not distance.  I have to play my game.  This course is not too long for me to score, but if it was a driving competition, I'd probably be out on the first hole.  I'm obviously aware of the distance differences, but I can play my game, and I think I'll be just fine.

To Tiger, what were you thinking as Annika putted on nine?

I wasn't too happy about blocking mine over there to the right.  I felt bad for her.  She shouldn't have been in that position.  I should have made my putt, and it would have been over.  She stepped up there and put it in the middle of the hole.  She didn't win 10 tournaments this year for nothing.  She's a wonderful putter and she showed it.

Freddy, on his drop on nine and shot off cart-path:

That was a normal procedure.  I've hit pretty much everywhere.