THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

May 30, 2001

Frank Lickliter

FRANK LICKLITER: Well, since Monday morning, I spent more time on the cell phone than I have in the last two months, in the last two days. So it's just had an awesome response from my family and friends. People I get to see once a year at different tournaments. It's pretty spectacular. It's a wonderful feeling. It's just been very busy.

FRANK LICKLITER: Just a matter of time. I've really worked hard on my game in the past off-season, I've worked harder than I have at any point in my life. Felt really strong coming out of the West Coast, played really solid and had a chance to win at Buick. Other than one swing, it was that close winning my first one then. So you know, I feel like, I obviously feel like I've been playing very solidly, and I just kept wanting to give myself a chance to win, and gave myself a good chance this past week and took advantage of it.

FRANK LICKLITER: I played nine holes yesterday with Rocco. Just hit the ball as solidly as I was last week. The greens are perfect. So it feels like it's easy to make some putts out here. I feel like I'm playing very solidly. I don't know if my confidence is any different; it's still there.

FRANK LICKLITER: I have a trainer, Frank, who also works with Rocco and Vijay. Just worked on getting stronger. That's the strongest I've felt coming out at the start of any year.

FRANK LICKLITER: A lot of different things. Very small weights. Not, you know, not bulking up, just getting stronger. Making my core stronger.

FRANK LICKLITER: It's amazing what comes in your head when you have got a chance to win. You know, I let it slip a little bit on the last three holes. I got -- you know, after I hit my tee shot left on 16, I asked my caddie Tony, I said, "How we doing?" He said, "Oh, well, we're 3-up, mate." He's from Australia. I said, "Okay. Let's get this one up-and-down." You know, I was probably thinking a little more than I should have been at that point in time with three holes left.

FRANK LICKLITER: At some point in time you need to know, especially with those holes coming in. Especially after I hit it left, too. I don't think I would have played it any differently, though. I was limited in my options because I was, you know, had a pretty nasty lie. Basically, all I could do was try to get it on the right front of the green; but yeah, you need to -- especially with those last three holes there at the Kemper, they are all good holes. You need to know what you need to do.

FRANK LICKLITER: I felt good all week. All I was trying to do was stay focused every day. Didn't matter how much -- What did we have? Nine rain delays total or something. So you know it's coming. You know the weather's there. You can see the clouds building, you see -- you hear the thunder, and you know it's just a matter of minutes before they're going to blow the whistle. You're somewhat prepared for it, even though you might be disappointed that you didn't get to hit a putt or to get to hit a shot that you were, you know -- it's easier to hit as you keep going, as opposed to stopping and having two hours to think about it. So... You just have to be super patient.

FRANK LICKLITER: No, no. That never came into my head.

FRANK LICKLITER: It's a culmination of 18 years. This was a dream I had when I was 13. Took me a little longer than I thought it was going to. Now that it's here, it's all right.

FRANK LICKLITER: I don't know if it's maturity, but I'm definitely more patient than I used to be. That's something I continue to work on. I definitely feel like I've got room for improvement there. I'm always working on my game. I love to practice. I like to hit balls. You know, I love the game of golf. So, you know, yesterday, I came out and played a practice round like I normally do.

FRANK LICKLITER: It's great coming back here. I win last week, and I get to see my family this week and a lot of guys that I haven't seen for a year. This golf course is one of my favorites. I mean, it's always in perfect condition. Even though we've had a bunch of rain here the last two weeks, the greens are absolutely magnificent. I think this is the best I've ever seen the greens here at Muirfield.

FRANK LICKLITER: No, my goals have not changed whatsoever. That was just another step along the way. You know, I have a lot of goals, obviously. But that was just one more notch on the belt, so to say. It was just, it's just part of it, you know. My only goal was not to win a PGA TOUR event and then be done. This is hopefully just the start.

FRANK LICKLITER: This is always a great tournament to win. You know, it's -- he does, Mr. Nicklaus obviously does such a spectacular job. He knows what he likes. He knows how to run a golf tournament. He knows how to make us feel at home when we're here. And it really is a special week.

FRANK LICKLITER: You're from my hometown and you're saying obscurity?

FRANK LICKLITER: Relative? This makes it all right. (Laughter.)

FRANK LICKLITER: It's not going to change me. It's not going to change who I am. I guess one thing that my managers are telling me that I'm going to have to say "No" more, because you know, I like taking care of people, so it's hard for me to say "No," I'll put it that way, for demands on my time. And like yesterday, I did four radio interviews, four separate interviews. You know, it was basically, the same questions over and over, and then the last one, you know, was the longest one. You know, and it's fun, it's great. Right now I hope it never becomes not fun .

FRANK LICKLITER: Yes.

FRANK LICKLITER: We live by the rules. Rules are rules for everyone. And you know, I don't think you should clap him on the back for, you know, abiding by the rules. I mean that's -- that's what makes this game so special is that, you know, we're self-governed.

FRANK LICKLITER: When the USGA writes their rules, it's not gray. It's black and white. So yes, it might seem a little harsh, but, you know, when it comes down to the letter of the law, what he did was correct.

FRANK LICKLITER: Playing in a lot of crappy weather. You know, I remember playing in Kentucky in the snow. I remember playing in Ohio State when the greens were frosty in the morning and warmed up enough for the frost to fade. And then you know, sleet on us, and just you know, the greens are bumpy. And you know, they've got little hail balls on them sometimes. And I remember putting through puddles. We would just keep going. You'd take your nearest relief, and by the time you put your ball down and looked at the putt, the river had gotten back in your line. I mean, that's what I remember from college.

FRANK LICKLITER: No. I've tried, between phone calls I've tried to really relax. I'm not going to do a whole lot today. I'll play the back nine this afternoon. Just to really try to take it easy and get prepared for tomorrow, be ready to focus again.

FRANK LICKLITER: Yeah, it really has. I used to move my legs a lot. I used to hit the ball with my legs. Almost Johnny Millerish. Just tried to quiet that down and be just a little more on plane going back. I guess growing up I had a little bit of the Furyk move going back. A little outside and little hooded drop it in and hit it hard with the legs. So that's what I've gone to the opposite of that. Tried to quiet my lower body and be more on plane.

FRANK LICKLITER: Some players might. I don't. I got to play with Tiger the first time Saturday of Dallas, Byron Nelson. And to see it firsthand, you know, how long he is. He's hitting it 20, 25 yards by me. On one par 5, he caught it pretty good and he probably hit it 40 by me. But you know, this course, obviously does set up well for him. You need to drive your ball extremely well here. You know, he's a great player obviously. But I don't think you can hand him the trophy quite yet. There's a lot of golf to be played, and I think a lot of players are thinking that.

FRANK LICKLITER: I don't mind. Doesn't matter. Yeah I'd love to play with him.

FRANK LICKLITER: I think the whole Tour raises the level of their game when Tiger's around.

FRANK LICKLITER: I think guys are becoming more prepared mentally to play, and to play extremely well.

FRANK LICKLITER: Yeah.

FRANK LICKLITER: I tell you what, it's made a difference in my game. I'm hitting the ball a little farther. Now, it doesn't fly very good out of 6 inches of rough. No ball does. So in my opinion, you know, to make a golf course ball-proof or Tiger-proof, whatever you want it call it, it's not by making them longer, it's by making them tighter. The U.S. Open average is what? 21 yards in width in their fairways. 22 yards.

FRANK LICKLITER: Thank you guys. Appreciate it.