Ripping curls at dawn

HAZELTINE DIARY: WE know all about the range rats, but what about the gym gerbils who must get their fix of treadmills and weights before hitting the course?

Camilo Villegas and Paul Casey are among those devoted to physical work-outs, but it seems Tiger Woods also sets the standard in this aspect of preparation, as one Minnesotan discovered when he ventured into his local gym at the ungodly hour of 5.10am the other day.

According to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, Justin Conzemius – a former linebacker – stopped by his suburban health club for his daily work-out only to discover someone else already working out. The early riser wore a Stanford baseball cap and sleeveless shirt with his Nike gear while working out: world number one Woods.

“He was working on an exercise ball by himself, first doing some hard-core stretching, and then he did some super high-repetition wrist curls, sets of 25 to 30. He was ripping them off really fast.”

Injury halts Sterne’s run

SOUTH African Richard Sterne became the second injury casualty, following John Daly, to withdraw from the PGA when he suffered a hand injury in Saturday’s third round. Unfortunately for Sterne, the injury to his left hand came at a time when he was the hottest golfer on the course: he had been six-under-par and bogey-free for the cumulative 18 holes of his back nine on Friday and front nine on Saturday, before sustaining the injury on the 10th hole. He then went double bogey, bogey, double bogey, bogey and then withdrew.

Q&A with Paddy

1Favourite American course?

A.Augusta National.

2Favourite hole (US)?

A.5th hole at Pebble Beach.

3Favourite course (worldwide)?

A. Royal Portrush.

4Favourite hole (worldwide)?

A. 12th hole at Royal Portrush.

5Favourite course architect?

A. Alister Mackenzie.

6What age were you when you first broke par for 18 holes? What did you shoot and where?

A.I think I was 15 but I can't remember where – I know it wasn't my home course.

7Who would be in your dream foursome, golfers?

A. Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer.

8Who would be in your dream foursome, non-golfers?

A. Hugh Hefner, Barack Obama, John McCain.

9What was the best shot of your career?

A. My pitch on the 72nd hole at the Open Championship in Carnoustie (because of the circumstances that led up to that shot).

10Favourite motivational quote and by whom?

A."Be yourself ", but I'm not sure who said it.

11If you weren't a professional golfer, what would you be?

A. Coach.

12Last time you paid a green fee?

A. I've never paid a green fee.

13Favourite team?

A.Celtic.

14Favourite movie?

A. Shrek.

15Favourite TV show?

A. CSI.

16. Favourite musician or group?

A. U2.

17Who/what would you pay to watch?

A. Comedian Billy Connolly.

18Favourite sporting event, non-golf?

A. Olympics.

19Favourite holiday destination?

A. Sandy Lane, Barbados.

20Last book you read?

A. The Art of Learningby Josh Waitzkin.