ENERGIZER SENIOR TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

November 6, 1997

Hubert Green

HUBERT GREEN: Nice to be here.

HUBERT GREEN: Well, I didn't start the year out trying to finish in the top 31. That wasn't my main thought process. I thought I could play better golf than I did actually. And, didn't really realize what the top 31 meant until the last few weeks; saw that I was in a little bit of trouble and to come to the big dance, you have to qualify. And, I wasn't qualifying, so I had to play a little better. I played very poorly at Sacramento which was disappointing because I thought -- because it was a golf course I would play pretty good. And, last week I had to finish, as it was 6 by myself and I finished 6 by myself. Just enough to get to the big dance.

HUBERT GREEN: I played as good a golf as I can play. This golf course is way too hard for me. (laughter) It has got par 4s that I can hardly reach. And that is with the weather being nice and dry and not being windy. I am as surprised as anybody to be in here right now. I should be in the other room with players that are having a cold drink with a little higher alcohol content than this one here.

HUBERT GREEN: I didn't make any crucial mistakes. My first three holes were just, you know, hitting 4-wood to 1. I hit 4-wood to 2. Hit 3-iron to 3. These aren't holes that you are trying to make birdie on. You are trying not to hurt yourself too bad. Had good lies on the fairway; got the ball around the green or on the green and I 2-putted from 30, 40 feet. Wasn't real exciting, but I got around the real hard holes, very lucky today.

HUBERT GREEN: Birdied the last four holes.

HUBERT GREEN: They are not as long. 15 is a par 5; I had a wedge to that green. 16 is a short hole you lay up on it. I had, off the tee, 9-iron. Luckily I made a putt from the fringe there. Next hole was a 5-iron par 3. Made birdie there. Last hole 8-iron, about 3 feet from the hole.

HUBERT GREEN: I just wanted to get rid of the holes I was playing as it was. Just go to the next one, it is like -- it is very difficult out there.

HUBERT GREEN: 8, I made about a 6-footer. Maybe eight feet, something like that. I don't sell real estate, so don't take me up on the exact footage. 15, made about a 5- or 6-footer. 16, I made probably a 20-footer. Had a big blob of mud on my ball, horrible, and I just stayed on line there and went right in the hole. I was very fortunate there. 17, I made about a 12-footer. 18, was about a 3-footer.

HUBERT GREEN: I would have gone for a few more holes. Not the lengthy ones. I didn't want to go play 1, 2 and 3 again.

HUBERT GREEN: We will see. I will show up tomorrow. I won't miss my tee time, I will promise you that. But, you know, it is not a golf course that suits my golf game, that fits in my plan. But, you know, if I can make five birdies out there, I will be okay.

HUBERT GREEN: Well, I wanted to be a contender in the TOUR and I have not been a contender, so, I have been very disappointed. As they say, I have been a "Pretender" not a "Contender."

HUBERT GREEN: My golf swing when I first came on TOUR was so bad, it is not beautiful, never has been beautiful. But I could not play dead when I first came out here. And, I am starting to strike the ball a little better. I can at least attempt to go off the green with a long iron right now. First part of the year, if a 5-iron was lowered in my hand, put a hard hat, watch me play, because it is going to be brutal.

HUBERT GREEN: I played college golf with Bobby Duval so I know him pretty well.

HUBERT GREEN: I am not working. I am 50 years old. Haven't had a job yet, excuse me, you can't run around there start slashing your wrist too bad. Jimmy has always been real nice. Been with Tommy Armour together this year. He is a real knowledgeable guy and good guy to play with. Most of the guys are. If you let your pairing bother you, you are not a professional.

HUBERT GREEN: If I didn't make it, I didn't make it; wasn't the end of the world. But, one tournament is not going to keep me from making this tournament. I mean, I played so poorly. I missed the cut in the PGA, that is just horrible. I missed -- I played poorly in several big money tournaments and played very poorly at Sacramento. If I didn't play good in those tournaments, if I had played good there, I would have been here anyway. If I played good at Sacramento, I am in. You know, so there is -- you don't sit there and say, well, that is the reason I didn't make it, that one week, because I had all year to make it.

HUBERT GREEN: I just work -- I have been working real hard. I have not seen any guru that has been instrumental. A lot of folks have tried to help me but maybe I am beyond help. I have got a swing that is not exactly classic in the Hogan's frame of mind.