U.S. SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 1, 1994

Jay Sigel

JAY SIGEL: Well, three birdies the front, and two the back. Five under. I guess, probably, the best shot I hit all day was on 14. I had hit a pretty good drive and had about 150 yards. I hit an 8-iron and just hit it just too good. It was in the rough, but I didn't have a bad lie. It flew to the center of the green and just went over the back edge and, of course -- down the hill. I didn't have a bad lie, but quite a slope there, and I pitched it back to about eight inches. So, that really kept my momentum going. Then I hit solid shots coming in from there. I made one lengthy putt on 9; probably 40 feet. And other than that, it was --

JAY SIGEL: Yes. Other than that, it was fairly routine. Not that the 66 is routine, but some of the shots were routine.

JAY SIGEL: I think so. I think that the greens were a little smoother this morning. The course did play long. It played longer. Didn't really drive it out of play at any time. I think that was critical. I don't think I drove -- I drove the ball better today and I putted better. I guess that was the difference.

JAY SIGEL: 1958 or '59. I was 15, so, December, when I was 15 would have been 1958.

JAY SIGEL: Well, I think it has. The scoring -- you know, I don't think the course could play too much easier than it is playing. And I don't know what will be leading the tournament after today, you know, it is -- the greens are perfect. They are very smooth. They are holding, which gives us the full length of the greens and width. Pinehurst, historically, is firmer greens; not necessarily faster, just firmer, where the green then becomes two-thirds the size because of the mounding, and then, getting it up and down from around the greens. I mean, I suspect there are players in the field who have never experienced this kind of play with no rough around the greens. So, to further answer your question, yes, the ball goes a little bit further, but length is not as important here as accuracy. There are some subtleties in the fairways -- you know, it is fine for 260 yards and then there is a little cut out. I can tell you specifically, 11; specifically, 12, where if you hit it 260 down the center, left center, or on 11, left center like I did, 270 left center, I was in the rough. Where, if you are at 250, you are in the center of the fairway. Same thing on 12. 13 can be that way. 14 can be that way. So length helps, but you really have to be in the fairway to get the ball -- keep the ball on the green and keep it where you can make par.

JAY SIGEL: It is in far better shape -- of course, this is an unusual week, being that it is as soft as it is. The only thing that really stands out is conditions. Condition is far better than it has ever been as far as I am concerned. I mean, I have been here through the transition; the grasses on the greens, and I think the greens and the areas around the greens are about as good as they have been. Of course, the fairways are perfect.

JAY SIGEL: I am feeling more comfortable. I wouldn't say I am comfortable, but I am certainly more comfortable than when I started out. Purposely, I tried to pace myself early on; didn't play in every event and now I have played -- this is my sixth week in a row, and I am feeling more comfortable, yes. And I think having a golf club in my hands, I wouldn't say 24 hours a day, but more often than ever, has really made a difference. You know, it is -- and thinking about the game and, you know, what is going on with it, has been helpful too. So, yes, I am more comfortable; I am not comfortable.

JAY SIGEL: Well, I said to someone give me a basketball team with experience or give me one with a lot of talent; I will take the talent all the time. Experience is important here, but the way the golf course is playing right now, I don't think it is as important as it could be, you know, with the harder greens and so on, but I don't think that my experience is going to mean that much, really.

JAY SIGEL: Yeah, I think.

JAY SIGEL: I think that -- I think, yes, I think that -- this is not necessarily playing like the Pinehurst of old. This is -- because of the weather.

JAY SIGEL: No wind. You know, if you got -- sure, that is another one. You have got firm greens and wind. I mean, the greens become one-third the size and that is small.

JAY SIGEL: If he asked me for some advice, I will be happy to give it to him.

JAY SIGEL: Allen is a fine player, and if he turned pro now at 45 -- what is he, 46?

JAY SIGEL: He would do just fine. He'd probably win all the tournaments in the southeast, you know, of moderate level, and I suspect he could win some Nike Tour events, if he can get in them, and Hurricane events, so that is the only thing I can say at this point. I'd like to see him remain an amateur. I mean, he didn't turn pro 20 years ago, so he ought to at least remain amateur until he is 50.

JAY SIGEL: My birdie putts were on three and four, they were -- three was about 18 feet. Four was about 14 feet. Nine was about 30 feet. And had an up-and-down on 11; was about six feet. 13 was about 15 feet. 16, I 2-putted for birdie.

JAY SIGEL: Well, depending on the winds. If that rain just came through as it did, it will -- if there were any of the greens getting firm, it is going to make the greens softer again, and I don't know that it will make it any tougher except the rough will be wet and that will cause some problems. So, I think that is about the only -- the aspect of the very wet rough will be tough.

JAY SIGEL: Yeah, I spent two days with Jack in May, and we played and chatted. There were several questions that I needed answered; one being how would my amateur career be affected. He felt that that was in the record book and, basically, it was history. So, that I shouldn't worry about it. He recommended that I speak to the United States Golf Association like he did when he was contemplating the decision. Of course, I already had at that point, but it was a good -- that was a good recommendation. He said, after we played and we talked about what was involved with family and so on, he said that either way -- either decision that I would make, if I remain an amateur, he felt because of my condition, my strength, that I would still be a good amateur and I would add to my record. And he said if he turned pro that I would be fine there too. He really simplified the whole thing for me and gave me a lot of confidence; really a boost to get to that next level, and really get serious about it. You know, there were some questions about travel and family time; he felt that I would have more quality time for my family, in that I would be -- I would be earning some income playing golf, therefore, I wouldn't have to -- when I went back home as before, being an amateur and in the insurance business, I would have had to generate income which is pressure within itself; having to run out and not being available for the family and maybe being a little uptight and so on and so on. And he felt - and I can see that materializing - he felt that -- that was a very good point. So those are really the main points.

JAY SIGEL: At his course in Florida.

JAY SIGEL: Lost Tree.

JAY SIGEL: I think Vinny is a great guy and a real gentleman and very successful businessman and very, very good at what he does. He was a great Walker Cup captain. He has been one hell of a player. In the last, I guess, eight, ten years he really hasn't played that much. He has had to tend to his business. I do think he contemplated the Senior Tour and I suspect that if he had been a little healthier, a little stronger, I think he might have considered it. He has a tricky back, but he has got all the shots and I mean, he has the ability given that his back is in shape to play very, very well. I saw him make one swing today on television on 17 and it is the best I have seen him swing. He generally swings at it ferociously, but he didn't in that swing, put it right in the middle of the green and I suspect that his back is better because of that.

JAY SIGEL: No.

JAY SIGEL: No, I don't. I am going to tee the ball up on the proper side of the tee and put it in the fairway and then hit it on the green. I am not not going to try to think about it. Of course, I was awake this morning at 4:30 being Mr. Cool, because I had to, you know, I was concerned about the cut also today, so I am a little tired right now.