Going Head to Head: Marcus Both vs. David Bransdon

How do you warm up?

Both: I’ll start with some light stretching. I have a routine where I start hitting six balls with my sand iron, then six more shots with my nine iron, six with my seven iron and another six pitch shots. I’m simply concentrating on perfecting my rhythm and tempo.
Bransdon: After some stretching, I’ll hit all my wedges first and then work my way up to the eight iron, six iron, four iron, rescue club, three wood and driver. Then, I’ll hit a few chips and putts.

What do you do after completing a round?

Both: I’ll normally have a quick bite and then go back to the range and figure out what I’ve done well and hit some putts.
Bransdon: I’ll hit some balls and have some lunch.

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

Both: I like to talk with the other players.
Bransdon: I’ll be listening to my Ipod.

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

Both: I don’t have any that I know of.
Bransdon: Three putting.

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

Both: I’ll do the same if I’d shot a 75.
Bransdon: Smile a lot! And then warm down.

How about after a round of 80?

Both: I’ll think of what I did poorly.
Bransdon: Try to calm down!

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

Both: I’ll try to hole the first putt.
Bransdon: Try to lag it and if it goes in, then it’s a bonus.

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

Both: I have a standard thought process which is to picture the shot in my mind, look at the yardage book, check the breeze and execute the next shot like all other shots.
Bransdon: Focus.

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?

Both: To win, I would be prepared to go for it and if the shot fits my eye, I won’t change my game plan.
Bransdon: I’ll play my stock shot and rely on the stuff that I’m doing well that day.

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

Both: Absolutely. That’s the point of playing, to speak to your opponents who are generally your friends on Tour.
Bransdon: Only if I’m spoken to. I’ll say stuff like “good shot” as players tend to keep their concentration.

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

Both: I’ll probably be quite nervous on the first tee! But at the end of the day, he’s just a normal guy and I know he’ll make me feel comfortable.
Bransdon: I’ll be extremely nervous.

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

Both: I’ll try to give him some simple tips and tell him to avoid being too complicated with the swing and enjoy the round.
Bransdon: I’ll be focused on what I’m doing but if I can help out, I will.

August 3, 2007

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