THE MAGAZINE | Biggest difference between California and Dubai?
BAYHAAN LAKDAWLA | How much time do you have? Back home it's all buildings and clubs. In Stockton I see a lot of tractors and farmland.
Best thing about California.
The weather.
Wait... you're from the desert! Isn't it always hot and sunny?
Good point. Take it off. I'd say having LA and the Bay so close...
Golf better here or there?
It depends. It's different. Over here its competitive. Back home the courses have a different layout. Most are professional tracks that have tour events.
You're a car guy right? How'd you get into that?
Ever since I can remember. Ever since I began to speak I loved them.
Even before golf? How'd you get into the game?
My dad played a lot. And I followed him.
I got hooked from the first time that I played.
The car of your dreams or a membership at Augusta.
And you gotta drive Prius or something...
Oh geez. Membership cause then I'm well off and can get a good car.
Nope. You gotta drive the Prius...
(thinking...) Ok... I'll take the membership.
What motivates you?
In life or golf...? The fact that every day I can beat someone at something.
What's your biggest strength on the golf course?
I don't go down easy. You'll have to cut me down and drag me off.
I'll use the word that my friend Claudo described me.
Fiesty.
You live with Pat, TJ, and Grieb. What's that like?
It's actually great. I've always lived with Pat. TJ and Grieb are more alike. They usually provide the entertainment. We all have different personalities but we blend it in. We all pick on Grieb though... that's when we come together.
Whose the biggest clown on the team?
TJ.
How many times a day do you wash your hands?
Do you really want me to count? I'm gonna go with 20 to 25 times.
What's one thing you want to do in America that you haven't done yet?
Win a championship ring.
You're a big fan of rap music. Who's your favorite?
No one in particular. It's more about the beats. As long as it's got a good beat.
What's your tournament day routine?
Wake up, shower. Ten-minute prayer session that I do twice a day, once in the morning. Ten-minutes of stretching. I always make sure I have all my equipment ready for the day and I always have to have my wallet, phone and keys with me.
How is an off-day in Stockton different from a day in Dubai?
In Dubai I usually put on my latest playlist and just take the car out and go drive around the city at night. That really relaxes me.
In Stockton I usually wouldn't do that. I'd put a movie on and stay at home.
How would you describe Dubai in two words to someone who's never been there before?
Different. Extravagant.
You have to pick one guy on the team to make a 20-foot putt to save your life. Who do you pick?
Can I pick me?
No.
TJ most likely.
You enter a best-ball tournament for a million dollars... who's your partner?
In the world? Gotta be Tiger.
No two ways about it. He's been clutch a few times before...
On the team?
Pat.
Why?
We understand each other's game. We know how each other's tendencies are.
How is the team different now than when you were a freshman?
The gap between the 8 guy and 1 guy is a lot less. We have a lot better team. We're still young but we're deep. Our scores also tell that the gap isn't that big. That's the biggest thing.
What's something you wish you knew your first year in the program.
I wish I understood patience back then. That if I work hard than the results will come. Not to freak out and push too hard at once.
What's the biggest thing you'll take away from the program after you graduate?
That life is one big competition. You have to go beat someone for everything you want.