An Exclusive Interview With LPGA
Rookie of the Year, Lisa Hackney
by Dan Shube
Before Lisa traveled as reigning LPGA Rookie of the Year
to her first event , The HealthSouth Inaugural at Grand Cypress in
Orlando, I chatted with her at her home club, Golden Bear Golf Club
at Hammock Creek in Palm City.
FORE FLORIDA (F.F.): Tell us about 1997 and the events that led to
your winning this prestigious award.
Lisa Hackney (L.H.): It began at qualifying school ('96). I
finished 7th conditional; I wasn't exempt, but 7th on the non-exempt
list. At the start, I just wanted to get into some tournaments. Being
non-exempt, you don't know when you're playing. There's uncertainty.
It's quite difficult.
At the first tournament in Orlando, I was first alternate but
didn't get in. I tried to pre-qualify, but didn't. The next few
events I didn't play, either. I played in Hawaii, but missed the cut.
I was fortunate to play in the Australian Masters, an LPGA European
Tour event and finished 15th.
In March, as a Ping player, I was invited to play in the
Standard Register Ping Tournament in Phoenix. I played well, but my
last round wasn't great...I finished around 40th.
The following week, I went to the Nabisco Dinah Shore. I
managed to get an invitation through friends and my playing in the
Solheim Cup the previous year. I finished 5th. That really got the
year started! I moved up the list sufficiently so that, when the
trimester re-ranking occurred, I was at the top of the non-exempt
list. That basically meant I'd be in all the tournaments then on. I'm
very grateful to the people at Nabisco for the invitation...it was
the turning point for me! I just went with the flow, continuing to
play well, finishing 5th in the U.S. Open and 9th in the Du Murier. I
was top ten in 3 out of 4 LPGA majors.
In May, at the McDonalds LPGA, I missed the cut, same the
following week at Corning. The next two weeks I had top 5 finishes. I
played 5 events in Europe, finished 5th in the British Open and top
10 in most of the others. That led to playing in the Solheim Cup. I
ended the year with 8 top ten finishes (7 being top five) and 16th on
the money list (almost $350,000).
A bad time was when I got disqualified from the Tour
Championship after the second round for signing an incorrect
scorecard. That won't happen again. You don't make that mistake
twice! It was costly and a disappointing way to finish the year.
F.F.: Were you surprised to win the Rookie of the Year?
L.H.: I wasn't surprised. At the start, it was questionable as to
which tour I would get in to. I knew I could compete. It was just
getting the opportunity. Winning the Rookie of the Year award was
pleasing, but not what I set out to do. It's just one of those things
that happen as a result of playing well. As I do that, other things
happen.
F.F.: With such a successful year behind you, did you prepare
differently for 1998?
L.H.: No. That would be a bad situation if I had to change to
achieve more success. I just have to do the same thing... only
better, build on my successful year in 1997. It only takes a little
bit to get to that next level. It's a question of building, rather
than re-building.
F.F.: Is it comforting to know that you don't have to qualify this
year?
L.H.: Yeah! After what I went through last year. I'm now exempt
for everything, even the majors. I don't have to worry about
pre-qualifying. I now appreciate how difficult that is...and would
rather not be a part of it!
F.F.: What is your training like? What is it like to train with
your fiancé, Martin Hall?
L.H.:
Living here at Hammock Creek, backing on to one of the beautiful
holes, with the range practically in my back garden, makes it
convenient and really nice. I hit a lot of balls and will play a bit
before starting the season. I work on my short game as much as
possible. That's where I can save one or two shots and make a big
difference in a tournament! I work with Martin on my swing. I'm at a
point where the good shots are pretty good and the bad shots are
getting better. If the bad shots finish around the fairway or green,
they're not too destructive. There are nice people to play with here,
sometimes to make a bit of money, and have a good time!
F.F.: Do you work on fitness...mental and/or physical?
L.H.: I spent time working on fitness and strengthening with Randy
Myers about a year ago. Now I go to the gym (not as often as I
should) and follow the program. During the tour, I do stretching
and light workouts. Mentally...a lot is common sense. I try to be
aware of my tendencies and control my thoughts. You must be honest
with yourself. At my level, a lot is mental. All tour players have a
good swing.
F.F.: How long have you been working with Martin?
L.H.: Martin taught me how to play when I was 13 years old in
England. He has helped me so much along the way. To share the success
that we have now... top ten of the world rankings, is quite an
accomplishment.
F.F.: If Martin is with you at a tournament, are you nervous or
comfortable?
L.H.: It's nice to have him there! Having friends and family with
you makes it more fun!
F.F.: Are you looking forward to playing locally at the Office
Depot?
L.H.: It's nice. A few people from Hammock Creek are heading down.
It's the only tournament of the year during which I stay at home.
F.F.: What are your goals for this year?
L.H.: I'm not going to put numbers, positions or scores down.
Improve my game, hit it straight, hit more greens, that's my goal.
Not make more money or finish in the top ten. If I improve as a
player, I've met my goal.
F.F.: So, when you play, you're not looking at the opposition,
you're only concerned with your game?
L.H.: Definitely. In golf, you're not going one-on-one against an
opponent. You've got 143 other players and no control over what they
do. All you can do is play your own game. If I play my best game, I
think that's good enough to win.
F.F.: Are you worried about the "Sophomore Jinx"?
L.H.: No. I don't consider myself a rookie. I've been a player for
over six years on the European Tour. It took seven years to be an
overnight success. I hope that experience will negate any letdown.
F.F.: Do you have lots of friends on the Tour?
L.H.: I know a lot of European Tour players that I played with
over there, who now play here. I also have many friends from the
University of Florida ('86-'90), plus friends from my mini-tour
experiences here and from the Solheim Cup. I didn't feel like a
rookie in the sense of not knowing players.
F.F.: Most golfers go to work, longing to be on the course, how do
you feel about your job?
L.H.: I absolutely love it! Wouldn't change it. I've never done
what most people would consider a day's work.
