Going Head to Head: Gaurav Ghei vs. Gerald Rosales

How do you warm up before a round?

Ghei: I will hit about 35 balls with alternate clubs. There are days where I start off with a nine iron, then I’ll go to seven, five and three iron. On other days, I’ll start with a wedge, and then go up to eight, six and four iron. Hit some drivers and then chip for 15 minutes and another 15 minutes on the putting green.
Rosales: In the morning, I’ll do some stretching exercises for about 15 minutes. Then I’ll hit balls at the range, starting with sandwedge, nine iron, seven iron, five iron, three wood and my driver. Then hit some chips and putts.

What do you do after completing a round?

Ghei: I normally have my lunch and then go back to the range. If the weather is nice, I’ll spend an hour practising.
Rosales: Basically just relax and have a drink. I’ll practice after that as well.

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

Ghei: Read a book.
Rosales: I’ve got my I-pod.

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

Ghei: Missing my tee time. I’ve come close once before in New Delhi despite being at the course two hours before the tee time. My caddie saw it as one group too low and I nearly missed my time.
Rosales: Probably when you have an injury, you still want to play on and then aggravate it. It’s happened before to me.

You've just shot a 63. What will you do after the round?

Ghei: Probably just hit a few putts.
Rosales: Brag about it!

How about after a round of 80?

Ghei: I wouldn’t hit any putts for sure!
Rosales: Go back to the hotel room and not talk to anyone.

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

Ghei: I’ll look at the speed so that the ball won’t go more than a few inches ahead of the hole.
Rosales: I’ll lag my first putt.

What do you think of when you’re faced with a downhill 5-foot putt?

Ghei: Make a smooth stroke.
Rosales: Hit it a bit firmer to take less of the break.

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

Ghei: I’ll just make sure nobody is around and then I’ll let off some steam!
Rosales: You wouldn’t want to know!

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

Ghei: If I’m hitting my driver well, I’ll use it otherwise, I’ll use my three wood to put the ball in play.
Rosales: If the course is playing tough, you have to commit to your shot and be aggressive.

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

Ghei: It depends on whom I’m playing with. If I know them well I will chat with them. When I contended at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, I was chatting all the way with Bryan Saltus.
Rosales: Oh yes, it takes off some pressure.

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

Ghei: No different than how I will feel playing with other players. You just have to go out and play your own game.
Rosales: That will be the day when I get drawn with Tiger.

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

Ghei: It’s tough to play with guys who can’t play but at the end of the day, it’s the amateurs who make the tournament possible. Even if you don’t have the greatest time playing with them, I think that’s something that all professionals will have to do.
Rosales: That hasn’t happened to me yet, hopefully it won’t!

August 10, 2007

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