INGERSOLL-RAND SENIOR TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

November 6, 1999

Mike Hill

MIKE HILL: Sometimes I think it's harder to hang on than to go play. I think you mentally can think about, boy, I've got a five-shot lead and if I don't win -- I think it's harder. I really do. I'd rather play with an even one-shot, two-shot lead. I did play wonderful today. I haven't 3-putted all week and I 3-putted the second and 3rd hole, and I felt like my ship was listing a bit, and then I turned around and birdied 4,5 and 6 and I made a crucial par putt at 7; and I seemed to get a second wind and a little relaxation. Then I turned around and 3-putt again at 11. But I came back and made a birdie at the par 3 to get that one back. And then I looked at the scoreboard at 15; decided that I had a five-shot lead now, and start trying to make pars, and I promptly made a bogey on the par 5. So I'm not very good at laying up. 18, I should have laid up. Gil Morgan said that I should have laid up there, but I just felt like I had to shoot at it. I had 202 yards, but I was in the middle of the, fairway and that was the only day I drove it in the fairway; I would have felt remiss if I would have hit a pitching wedge, pitching wedge to the hole. I had to shoot at it and see what happened. I felt like I could make 5 from almost anywhere.

MIKE HILL: I made a 15-footer at 4. Made a 6-footer at 5. I made a 6-footer at 6.

MIKE HILL: I think it's always a thrill, no matter what age group you're in, to win. And I think that, to me, is why I play. I think that you need to have a goal and a focus and I play to win. And when I feel like I'm no longer competitive, I probably won't play. And, you know, I won four this year, and I had chances at a couple others. I blew a three-shot lead at Tampa and I've not forgot that, either. So I look forward to next year. I'm going to play more. And I'll probably play more of the regular events, as long as my putting stroke will hold up.

MIKE HILL: One reason is my wife told my I should play more as long as I have got the talent I have, and the physical health that I have. She said that it's a waste for you not to go play and compete. And I have to agree with that. I think that as long as you're healthy and as long as you feel like you can compete, I think you need to go compete. The SENIOR TOUR is what gave my family everything we have; so, I think we need to support The SENIOR TOUR, and Georgia Pacific. You know, it's turned the whole thing around as far as the quality of the Super Seniors.

MIKE HILL: No. That's kind of a -- something of a bone of contention, but I'm the one doing the traveling and I'll the one doing the playing. Just like here, I'm going to celebrate with a drink by myself, and I've said that that's a bad deal. I won 18 times and I think about 10 of those times, I was by myself. And sometimes I think that sticks in your throat a little.

MIKE HILL: Yes. I won this tournament in Puerto Rico, and I believe at that time it was a -- I won the tournament and I won the prize money. I won 300,000. And I won with Patty Rizzo and I won 250,000 with her. But I believe that probably this check is in the Top 5 of all the checks I've won. You know, I've won a lot of money. I've won over $7 million out here. I've made some good checks. But this is kind of a feather in my cap. I've only played 15 times this year; so to come here after a month off and be able to compete tells me something about, you know, being able to stick in there and compete.

MIKE HILL: I'll certainly be here.