Going Head to Head:

Kang: I get to the range and hit a nine iron, six iron and maybe a three wood but I never really take out a driver. The main thing I’m working on is rhythm and alignment at the range.
Gangjee: I would start with a 20 minute stretching exercise and then head to the range and shoot about 50 balls. Next up is my lob wedge for chipping followed by the driver.

What do you do after completing a round?

Kang: I would usually go straight back to the hotel. I used to practice a lot but I can’t stand the heat anymore.
Gangjee: I’d grab a drink to cool down and head to the physiotherapist if needed. I will then have lunch and go back to practice.

It takes 45 minutes to get from hotel to golf course. How do you kill the time in the bus?

Kang: I would usually be talking to myself or other people who are willing to chat. I don’t have an i-pod.
Gangjee: I would usually listen to rock music. I like Mark Knopfler, he’s got some good tunes, and Creed. I also read books on golf psychology and fiction.

What's the worst thing that you fear when you are playing?

Kang: Having my pants ripped. I’ve seen it happen to other guys and they march on pretty well. If my pants rip in Asia, I’m not sure if I can carry on.
Gangjee: I’ll get injured and won’t be able to continue. It has happened a couple of times because of the stiffness on my forearms. It happened at the Aamby Valley Asian Masters in India last year when I was trying out the course and again at the TCL Classic two years ago.

You've just shot a 65. What will you do after the round?

Kang: I’ll probably have lunch or head back to the hotel straight away.
Gangjee: I’ll do the same thing as my previous rounds that week but I’ll be a lot happier.

How about after a round of 80?

Kang: Probably swear a lot and then head off.
Gangjee: I would sit down and analyse my round thoroughly. I will try to pin-point my mistakes.

You have two putts from 10 feet for par to win a title. Do you go for glory with a birdie?

Kang: I wouldn’t go for glory but I’ll to hit the best putt in my first attempt.
Gangjee: I would not differentiate between a winning putt even if I had two. When I putt, I’ll try and make it. The thought process is the same whether it is Sunday rounds back home or tournament rounds.

What do you think of when you face a downhill 5-foot putt?

Kang: I would ask myself why did I put myself in such a situation and then try to be careful with the line that I pick.
Gangjee: It depends on how much it’s curling. If it’s straight, then it is quite easy but pretty much depends on the line.

After posting a double bogey, what are your thoughts at the next tee?

Kang: Where’s the clubhouse? Double bogey is part of the game and I’ve made them before and I’ll probably make them again, so it’s no big deal.
Gangjee: Just quieten down and get back to my routine. I know somewhere down the line I will comeback and make some birdies.

There's water on the right and OB on the left. How do you approach this next tee shot to a par-4 480 yard hole being in position for a top-five finish?

Kang: It would depend on how narrow it is but I’ll use a driver. There is a lot riding on the line but when you break down everything, I will have to just swing it and hope that it goes straight.
Gangjee: That’s when I count on my pre-shot routine. If I’m playing on the last day and I’ve been using a driver all along, I’ll go with the driver again. If I can go for birdie, I’ll use a driver too.

Will you speak to your playing partners if you're in contention on the back nine on Sunday?

Kang: Definitely. I would hate for it to be a quiet round. If they ask me questions I would answer back and vice versa. I would prefer that rather than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer because that would mean they do not want to talk.
Gangjee: Depends on who it is. Some players do not want to talk. I can keep quiet or chat when necessary.

If you are drawn to play with Tiger Woods, how do you think you'll react playing with him?

Kang: I played with him while I was in college 12 years ago. He was fun to play with. Right now, if I played with him, I’ll be happy because it would mean that I’m playing well. I might dress in red and black too!
Gangjee: I would be shaking in the beginning but I’ll try to play my game. There would be at least 1,000 people watching and it would be a very different experience but I’ll try to relax.

You're playing in the Pro-am and one of your amateurs can't hit the ball at all. What will do you do?

Kang: I would usually give them tips but I’m not really good at doing that. But most of the time I would talk to them about anything but golf to get them relaxed.
Gangjee: I’ve had that twice this year. I’ve played in two pro-ams. The first one was in China where all my partners were out on course with their bags for the second time ever. I would try to coach them, but if that doesn’t work, I’ll joke around, keep it light and try not to get frustrated.

June 29, 2007

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