Congratulations on your excellent performance at the Ageas HKPGA Championship. What was it like playing with the pros – including eventual champion Jean Van de Velde – and what did you learn from the experience?
It was a great experience to play with them. It was the first time that I have played in a tournament with tour players and I learnt a lot. They told me about their experiences on tour and told me what they thought I should work on to become a better player.
You had a very successful 2010 season, and 2011 is looking great already. What would you say has been key to your success?
I think the key to my success is the fact that I never give up! You should never give up. “Keep working hard, never give up, believe that one day your perseverance will bring success to you!” – that’s my motto.
How do you hit the ball so far and still manage to keep it on the fairway?
I think the reason that I can hit the ball so far is the fact that I’m really tall, which allows me to generate a lot of club head speed because I can get a bigger turn. I have come to learn though that in order to win tournaments, it’s not all about hitting the ball as hard and far as you can every time you get on the tee. If a hole has a narrow fairway, I usually use a shorter club, like a three-wood or a four-iron. That way I have more control and I can score better by keeping the ball in play.
How far do you actually drive the ball?
About 290-300 yards
How often are you practicing?
About five-six times a week, and at least one of those days I am on the course. You have to put what you practice at the range into action on the course, so it is important to complement practice time with on course play.
Give us an idea of your normal practice routine?
I spend about 25 per cent of my time at the range on my driver; 25 per cent on my irons, with more emphasis on my short irons, because those are my scoring clubs, and then 50 per cent of my time is utilized towards practicing my short game and putting. You have to have a solid short game and be a good putter to be able to score in tournaments.
