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WGC BARBADOS WORLD CUP

December 6, 2006

ST. JAMES, BARBADOS: Pre-Round

JOAN vT ALEXANDER: We'd like to thank Stephen Ames and Robert Ames for joining us for a few minutes here in the media centre at the World Golf Championships Barbados World Cup. I guess this is about as close as you'll get to playing close to home.
STEPHEN AMES: Definitely.
JOAN vT ALEXANDER: Talk a little about that.
STEPHEN AMES: I guess half the island is here and the other half is swimming over; let's put it that way, that's how close it is. I think overall there are a lot of friends here with week which is nice. Our families are here and parents and a lot of friends that have come over.
For us it's a busy week altogether because we have a lot of people that we know on this islands and also the fact that we are here. So we've been entertained, wined and dined every evening which is nice. It's difficult for both Jodi and myself to get time for ourselves. We're coping but I think so far it's been a fun week.
ROBERT AMES: Yeah, I would say it's really nice to be this close to home where a lot of people could come and see Steve and I play, especially I think this is about as close to an event besides maybe Doral for Steve to be at home and a lot of people are taking this opportunity this week to see Steve play and see myself play.

Q. You also have Canadian citizenship, does it feel strange representing the land of your birth in a tournament where Canada also has a team?
STEPHEN AMES: Yeah, it has been for last three times we played -- actually the only other time that it did feel strange for me was 2003 when I did become a Canadian.
So before that, it was normal but this time it's definitely a little bit different for me. Especially the fact that home base is Calgary, and of course I've been representing Canada since 2003. So the last three years, yes, it is a little strange for me.

Q. How have you found the course today?
STEPHEN AMES: Beautiful. From what I remember, we were going through the back nine today, and trying to recollect where the old holes used to be because I grew up in the old Sandy Lane, playing it, and I remember Robert was only ten at the time when he played it, and for me I've played it a few times in the past. It's still got the same scenery of course that we remember of course the high winds I remember, also. It's always very windy up here in the bluff. But I think overall they have done a fantastic job and utilized the land exceptionally well and I think the golf course is fantastic.

Q. Can you talk about the dynamics of playing together after you've caddied for him so long and you're going to go out and play on your own now; just kind of talk a little about your relationship.
STEPHEN AMES: Easier.
ROBERT AMES: Yeah, I think it is a lot easier. It's a big bonus for me now to focus on what I need to do to go play. Hopefully even though I've only just stopped working for Steve in late October, the three weeks that I was able to play last week was great in South America.
But we've done it in the past where we played Kiawah Island and I was on the bag caddying for him and that week was very difficult for me because we had worked two weeks right up before where he was playing and I was caddying. At least this week I've had a little opportunity where I've had a little play under my belt.
STEPHEN AMES: Like Robert said, I think it's easier all together, for a couple of reasons; that we know each other as individuals; how he thinks; how I think. In that case, I think it will be a lot easier to cope with each other as playing partners. As in the case with other people, they have been beating on each other's heads for the whole year and all of a sudden you're on a team, so that's different. In that sense I think it's going to be easier for us. I can go up to him being big brother, take advantage of him a little bit and tell him how it should be done; not that he's going to do it.
ROBERT AMES: And now that I no longer work for him, I can give him my opinion also and be okay with it (laughter).
But I think we've done it, this is now our fourth time and we're comfortable. We always look forward to the week. I'm glad it fit in with Steven's schedule this year, the last couple of years to go all the way over to Europe after we've crossed the pond twice as players, caddies, would be too much. This was convenient and close to home, so it was a no-brainer.
STEPHEN AMES: It was rude not to come.

Q. What are your chances come tomorrow in the first round?
STEPHEN AMES: I think overall we're both looking for the experience. Robert is definitely looking for some more experience getting some exposure playing against some of the great players that are here this week.
I think overall the opportunity of competing will be tough. We have some wonderful players that are here this week representing the different countries, and some of these guys are seasoned veterans. I think on the whole, I think if you finish anywhere within the Top 15 I think we'll be very pleased with that overall.

Q. I know how special PLAYERS was for you this year; can you sum up your entire season?
STEPHEN AMES: Short, overall. My last official event was Bridgestone this year when I played, and I was plagued with back injury unfortunately. Before that it was enjoyable.
I had probably three chances of winning other events which was fun. One of them I had an opportunity in the Masters. I was second to last group going out, and it was a great experience playing in that. Showed me a lot for what I had to do for next year.
Of course, if I took up the third round at Colonial, I would have won this by six again. So overall I was quite happy with the year how it went. It subsided; it was a bit up-and-down after that. Overall, obviously you're going to be pleased you won. I won the biggest event on Tour which is The PLAYERS Championship. So that's given me a leeway of relaxing a little bit or I can change certain things, which is what I'm doing now, to change my swing to stop the back injury that occurred. And I've got the five-year exemption, which is nice.
JOAN vT ALEXANDER: How is the back?
STEPHEN AMES: Better, much better, thank you.
JOAN vT ALEXANDER: You're not worried about it this week?
STEPHEN AMES: I wouldn't be here if I would be worried about it. (Laughing).

Q. How long did it take before you could hit balls?
STEPHEN AMES: Three months. Up to last week, the Skins Game. A long time, yes. That's almost two and a half, three months it took to get it better.
Prior to going into the Skins Game, I was definitely worried. I started working with my new coach in Florida and I had gone three days of hitting golf balls, and it was the first three days I had hit golf balls steadily for a couple of hours. And I was wondering if my back -- every morning after I got up after practising, I was like, oh, this feels great. That told me that my back was in better shape and I could go on from there.
It was the same when I played the Skins Game. The Pro-Am was on Friday, Saturday and Sunday we played and everything was fine there. No twitches or aching or anything like that, and prior to coming down here, we've been practising and playing every day. It's been wonderful. So nice to be back on the green grass again, shall we say.
JOAN vT ALEXANDER: Thank you and play well this week.

End of FastScripts…

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