THE PRESIDENTS CUP

September 14, 1996

Arnold Palmer

Peter Thomson

PETER THOMSON: Well, I'm part of a very happy team, as a result of today's play, both this morning and this afternoon. I think everybody must admit that the event has suddenly come alive. It can be seen to be a real contest between two teams which are pretty equal. It's part of the fact that we had the best of it today, that doesn't really mean that tomorrow will be the same.

PETER THOMSON: Well, it was one of three games that were pretty important. But as I said, I think around midday that our fellows were shocked the first day at, what do you call, the pace of play was pretty fast, a lot of birdies and really hot stuff. And I think that rocked our people. They perhaps thought it was going to be a bit slower than that. But when they faced up to that on Friday night they came out with a better attitude and a few changes of implements and they were a much more effective side today.

PETER THOMSON: My head is in a whirl. But Price and McNulty.

PETER THOMSON: Yes, those -- what do you call -- the big names.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, I was naturally a little disappointed that we didn't have a better day than we did today. On the other hand, I don't think anyone from the beginning of these matches would have thought that there wouldn't be anything but a very close situation. The talent on both sides is tremendous. And it would have been very, very unusual if either team had run away with this. I'm a little saddened that we aren't a few more points ahead but I expected a good match and we're getting that. And I think my guys played good. They showed a lot of guts and I think it will make for great match tomorrow.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, that is very significant. If you just think about it, if we lose the hole the matches are dead even going into tomorrow and that means that we or the other team can have no slippage. You've got to win 7 matches to take the trophy. Now if tomorrow should be a split, well, we would be in pretty good shape with that shot and that's significant, I think, very significant.

ARNOLD PALMER: No. It does not.

ARNOLD PALMER: I still have to make the envelope choice tomorrow morning.

ARNOLD PALMER: That doesn't matter, they can still tie. What you're saying is that there can't be a tie and there can be. There's six matches and anybody --

ARNOLD PALMER: That could be.

ARNOLD PALMER: You're right. We can't have --

PETER THOMSON: No.

ARNOLD PALMER: And to me it's no.

PETER THOMSON: These greens are difficult, and they'll never get easy, ever. If you follow the games you'll see that, well, everybody misses putts here that perhaps you think they should hole because of the slopes. Both sides missed enough opportunities today. It was even putting, I thought, today.

PETER THOMSON: Yes. They were ready to go and it was logical.

PETER THOMSON: Well, I wanted to win the point but how could I be sure I would win the point?

PETER THOMSON: I'd like to say yes, but I can't say for sure.

PETER THOMSON: It was an unknown. It was one of those question marks. But it worked out just as we hoped. I had a nice sleep in this morning, breakfast in bed, all that sort of thing, came out fighting.

PETER THOMSON: Well, it's simple strategy that somehow you leave your -- some strength at the end because if it gets tense and tight you want fellows at the end that can handle it. Not that they all can't do it, but we want the tried and proven players there to carry the real responsibility.

PETER THOMSON: Well, I don't think he was that weak on Friday. He suffered defeat but he wasn't that weak about it. The answer is no, we didn't discuss it.

ARNOLD PALMER: I kind of followed Peter's lead there a little bit and that was kind of the way it worked out. There were only a couple that probably went away from what I really thought I would like to do and so that's -- that's pretty much it. I don't think you could have gone much another way.

ARNOLD PALMER: Yeah, he is earlier than maybe I originally had anticipated, but he's playing good and that's the way it is. I couldn't really -- I had a little strategy that I worked out in my mind and that just came out that way.

PETER THOMSON: Well, as it happens we have a very friendly barbecue tonight.

ARNOLD PALMER: Together.

PETER THOMSON: The players mix. So unless they come to blows it will be a very nice evening. (Laughter).

ARNOLD PALMER: Hey, with the ball where it was, I had to recognize the fact that there was a pretty good chance we'd lose the hole, but never gave the point away, if that's what you're asking me. I've seen a lot of things happen and that wasn't the highlight, that wasn't one of the highlights. I think that was one of great shots I've seen, though, in that situation.

ARNOLD PALMER: And I wanted that shot.