MICHELOB CHAMPIONSHIP AT KINGSMILL

October 6, 2001

Esteban Toledo

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: I was very lucky today the way I played. I had a great start, birdie 2 and 3 and I believe 5. I have been playing good all week even though in the pro-am I played decent, but I was making a lot of putts. I was hitting a lot of fairways and I was playing my game. I had a plan from the beginning and to come over and shoot some birdies, said that's what I am going to do for the weekend.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: The first five holes it was kind of tough, but after the 6th hole everything came down to normal. I was very surprised the wind died a little bit right on the back nine. I guess all these guys had an early tee time from like 7:30 to 11 o'clock, they probably had the toughest time. I think we just talked a Vantage of the situation there.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: No, actually we have been having great breaks in the weather. I was very surprised when I got up this morning and it started raining, I called my caddie, I said, what is going on outside. I take a look at TV, I prepared myself. I brought my rain gear and everything. I was able to use it. All these guys were in the clubhouse when it was pouring and I was practicing my putting. Kind of remember what Michael Jordan used to say, he goes before the game and he practices for quite a few hours. That's what I did today. While those guys were in the clubhouse I was hitting balls in the rain so it kind of helped me a little bit.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: Yeah, kind of. I mean, it wasn't that easy in the afternoon, don't get me wrong. The greens were soft, but you still have to hit it. It was a little bit chilly and I took my jacket off several times but my caddie kept telling me: Put it on. Just kind of follow the routine.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: I did, but I just realized that I was swinging the same swing with my jacket on, so I put it on three times.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: No, not at all. It hasn't crossed my mind that. It would help if I win. But I am not going to put pressure on myself. Tomorrow I am going to go and just fire it up there in the beginning just like I did in the Mexican Open last year and just score from the beginning the first nine holes and then just attack, I guess, because if I let those guys from behind me get me, they are going to get me. I am going to try to put it together from the first nine holes and see what I can get out of that and then I will take it probably a little bit more aggressive on the back nine. I guess that's the only way you can win. You got to play very aggressive.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: I probably looked a little more maybe three times today. I wasn't looking at it at all. But it kind of helped me when I won the Mexican Open I didn't pay attention to anything. I was just playing my own game. I am going to try not to look at leaderboard tomorrow. All I know if I can get two, three birdies from the beginning and give me confidence, and just going to go and just play my own game on the back nine and hopefully I will put it together.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: Yeah, kind of. There's only one par 4 that it kind of bugs me all the time, is No. 9. It is too long for me. Especially when it is raining but the rest I can get there easy. I can hit a 4-iron, I can get there. But No. 9 is kind of little long for me. But this golf course set up for me, you got to hit it straight. If you look at them, I haven't missed a lot of fairways. Some, but you know, I just have the mentality tomorrow that I am going to play my own game and just shoot some birdies and that's going to be the key for me tomorrow.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: Yes, I was, by three shots. It was a lot winning the tournament in my own country. But I always dream to win a tournament on the PGA TOUR. It has always been on my mind. I think if I really try tomorrow it might not happen, I am just going to let it happen.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: I have great golf tournaments in the bad weather. I think I probably am a very good player in the wind, very good player in the wind because I am very patient. I don't lose it that quick. I play better when the conditions are very difficult.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: I prefer the wind because I hit the ball pretty low, lower than some other guys; I can hit into wind. I didn't come here for second, but I am going to try 100% to give it my best shot because it might not happen again and tomorrow I am going to go at it because that's the only way I can win. I am not going to back off.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: No, I just think he's a great player, obviously everybody is great, but it's not going to bother me if he's in the lead or not. I think like I said, before, it's going to be a strategy tomorrow for me to play my own game. That's going to be the key for me. I am not really bothered by who is in front of me or right behind me. I am going to play my own game. I think if I can do that like I did in the Mexican Open - I was very focused; I never gave up; I always believed I was able to win it. Then when I set up my mind it happens. It can happen here. I know I have it, but I haven't played well the last maybe 7, 8 tournaments, but this is my chance to win it. I am going to give it my best shot.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: No, I'd love to win at least once. I don't really care much about two. Not like Tiger, but I guess every golfer on the PGA TOUR would love to win at least once. That would be one of my dreams, my goals in my life.

ESTEBAN TOLEDO: It's a great question. I prepare myself. I don't know how the other guys are, but I jog and I do my exercise and I go to sleep early and that's one of my keys that I have been here on the Tour for five years, I just take care of myself very well. And that -- I sleep well so my mind is all clear and just ready to go the next day. I am not into drinking and smoking or whatever. I think that's one of the keys for me that I am able to play well and I am not tired. A lot of people say well, you have played 32 tournaments. But I am ready to go every single week. I am healthy. I am strong. I have the great support from my wife and that's basically what I need. My mind is just strong.