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 One on One Stewart: The difference this year is focus
Posted: Tuesday June 22, 1999 08:48 PM
PINEHURST, N.C. (CNN/SI) - Following his 15-foot putt to win the U.S. Open on Sunday, Payne Stewart talked with CNN/SI's Jim Huber about one of the most dramatic victories in the history of professional golf. Jim Huber: Payne Stewart becomes the third-oldest U.S. Open champion in history and I would guess after the tension of this day, in the 99th edition, there are a few more years added to the 42 that you've spent on this earth. Payne Stewart: Well, maybe a couple were detracted. I don't know. Stuff like that could age a man. JH: Payne can you talk about the vindication, the exorcising of demons if you will, after last year? PS: Well, there wasn't -- it's a game of golf, you know, and I wanted to perform like I knew how I could and put myself back into position to have a chance to win this tournament again, because I felt that I wasn't playing all that well last year. I got myself into position to win, but I didn't have the game and the mental side of it, the focus of the game, that I had this year. JH: Let's talk about the series of dramatic putts starting at 16. Is there any bigger putt in your career than that? PS: Well, the one I holed at Hazeline [to win the 1991 U.S. Open in a playoff] on 16 was a pretty crucial one, too. JH: But 16 set up 17, set up 18. PS: Well, yeah, I was kind of disappointed in my chip shot. It was obviously horrible. But then I got myself right back into it and said, 'OK, you gotta standup here, read the line and make the putt.' And I did it and it went in. It. did. It gave me a lot of belief that I still had a chance to win that golf tournament. JH: And 18? Take us to 18. PS: At 18, I thought I was in the fairway off the tee. I felt if I make four on 18 when I stand on the tee then I am going to win. Because it's a tough pin to get at and be a tough three for Phil [Mickelson] And so, when I got up there I had to chip out [of the rough]. I had to take my medicine, I wasn't in the fairway. So I had to chip out. I got it up there where I could wedge it and I walked up there [to the green] and I saw kind of where I wanted to putt from. I didn't want to be past the hole that's for sure. And I gave myself a makeable putt. I wanted it a little closer, but I gave myself a makeable putt and [pause] it went in. JH: What a victory. Congratulations. PS: Thanks.
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