| |
|
The interview
|
 |
|
Article published on the
Italian monthly magazine Il Mondo del Golf
(September 2000) |
|
| |
| The man and the player
Pier Luigi Griffa |
| |
| |
| What
did you feel after beating Tiger Woods at the Deutsche
Bank the European Tours' Tournament played in Hamburg?
"I was already satisfied with the results I had
obtained. Then I knew that Tiger had placed third, right
behind me: it was a great surprise for me".
The results speak for themselves:
now you are the best Italian player of the Tour. Do
you consider yourself Rocca's heir?
"I still can't consider myself Rocca's heir, but
I sure hope to become it. Costantino has won very important
tournaments and has participated to three editions of
the Ryder Cup. He was and still is, the symbol of the
Italian golf played in the world. I still have a long
way to go from where I am".
How are you living your sudden
fame?
"I am very happy to be appreciated not only for
my drive now, but I do realize that I am only at the
beginning".
The British daily newspaper
"The Sun" dedicated you an article in which
they enhance your drive, over 270 meters, the longest
of the European Tour. Where does the power to shoot
like this come from?
"This is a question many people have often asked
me. Actually, the only thing I can say is that the power
of the shot is due to a physical characteristic not
only mine, but that many of the members of my family
have".
|
|
What
do ask of from a club?
"Due to the speed of my swing, the club used by me
needs to have specific characteristics. I even have to
like the way it looks".
From Emanuele"The Cannon"
to becoming a mature and complete player, good on the
green. Who took care of the "miracle" from a
technical point of view?
"Out of all, first is my father. It's four years
now though that I work with Giorgio Bordoni, whom other
than being a good instructor is also a good psychologist.
In December Giorgio and I went to Butch Harmon for a stage
that lasted a week. It was a real educating experience
from which I received a positive confirmation of the technical
aspects of my swing and got new ideas for my short play".
How about from a psychological
point of view?
"There are many, and very personal ones, the elements
that made me improve even from this point of view".
Try and build an identity kit
of the perfect professional player.
"It's a player that can manage the clubs like Bernhard
Langer and possesses the short game, the charisma and
the character of Severino Ballesteros. Regarding the drive,
he should shoot as far as I do".
What do you do in your free time?
"I enjoy very much going fishing. After that I also
like hunting".
Is golf only a job for you?
"Not only. It's often a chance to spend a day along
with some friends without troubles or stress".
They say that you are afraid of
flying: do you feel the same fear of "flying"
towards the high positions of the European rankings?
"I have overcome the fear of flying a while ago now.
In every way. With my job you have to rapidly get used
to every situation".
What do you see in your future?
"The "card" for the American Tour".
|
|
|
| |
| CANONICA, ALWAIS BETTER |
| |
Emanuele Canonica's great season
continues, already steadily flying towards the privileged positions
of the European money list.
At the moment he is the number one player in the Italian ranking,
breaking Rocca's decade of hegemony.
After placing second at the Deutsche
Bank in Hamburg, the Torino born placed third at the
Compaq European Grand Prix in
Northumberland. For a strange combination, Lee
Westwood won both times.
While in Hamburg, Canonica was able to endanger his success
up until the 16th hole, the latter time the Englishman practically
closed the game at the second round with an extraordinary 68
over the strong wind that headed the Staley Halls' course straight
through.
In this round, Canonica had scored 73 shots, keeping the initial
4th position. During the third round he slipped into 5th position.
The confidence that he is building with his own strength brought
him to attack during the fourth round: seven birdies and three
bogeys gave a pleasant result with a 68 and the third place,
even with Daren Clarke. |
|
