On The Tee: Q&A

Ken Doherty

(1997 World Snooker Champion)

Club: Elm Park

Handicap: 14

1 What’s your favourite golf tournament (amateur or professional) and why?

Has to be the Masters. The whole ambiance of the place, especially the great holes around Amen Corner. The tournament has a great history to it. The British Open I like as well but the Masters edges it for me.

2 Best TV golf memory?

(Pádraig) Harrington winning the British Open at Carnoustie. I also enjoyed Tiger Woods’ famous chip-in from the back of the 16th during the Masters (2005). You know the one when it just hung on the lip then dropped in, definitely one of my favourite shots of all time. A sponsor’s dream for Nike, if I remember rightly, too.

3 Parkland or links? Why?

I love both but only like links golf on a summer’s day! Not a big fan of the wind and the rain. Played The Island last week, it was blowing an absolute gale, even the pins wouldn’t stand up straight. My favourite links I’ve played is Waterville and for parkland the likes of Killeen or O’Mahony’s Point in Killarney or Adare Manor.

4 What’s your hidden gem of a golf course and why?

I played Mountrath Golf Club (Co Laois) not so long ago and thought it was a beautiful little course – tree-lined with some lovely holes.

5 How would you deal with someone you suspected of cheating, would you sign their card?

No, I wouldn’t sign their card. I don’t like cheaters, don’t like gamesmanship and I wouldn’t play with the person again. No time for cheating whatsoever. Don’t like the leather wedges.

6 If you could introduce one rule how would you combat slow play?

Ring the ranger, that’s what I’d do, let him sort it out.

7 Has equipment technology had a detrimental effect on genuine golfing talent/ability? If so, what changes would you make?

I suppose there is an argument for it. Technology is improving all the time and that’s why golf is as big as it is because it can keep selling equipment and that’s why there’s so much money in the game. But I don’t think it’s detrimental to the game, you can make courses longer and tougher – just look at the British or US Open courses.

8 What’s in the bag?

I’m using all TaylorMade clubs, really like the shafts and a club that sits well when you look down at it. Always played with TaylorMade, though I’d like some new ones from them if that was possible! Still using a putter I got from the JP McManus Invitational but thinking of changing it soon.

9 150-yards from the hole, what’s in your hands?

Eight iron.

10 Playing amongst friends, would you play for a wager or what type of match?

We always play for money, can’t play a game of golf without playing for a wager or something, even if it’s just for dinner. That’s all part of the banter. Don’t play for big money, that would spoil it. If I was playing tiddlywinks I’d have to play for something. You need a bit of bite.

11 Who is the greatest – Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods? Other?

Never really seen Jack Nicklaus at his peak, only footage from old videos so can’t really compare. Same in snooker, the question is always asked “who’s the greatest?” but can really only gauge from tournaments won. For me Tiger Woods in my era is the best, but until he beats Nicklaus’ record he’ll still be regarded as second best. Love watching him play and hope he comes back and I think he will beat the record.

12 If you had one final round of golf who would be in fourball and where?

Alex Higgins would be one. My dad Tony, he passed away when I was only 13, and George Best. Dad and I would take on the boys. It wouldn’t be a quiet fourball, that’s for sure. We’d probably all be pissed by the time we got to the turn but we’d have a good laugh. Oh, and we’d play at Augusta.