The Final Nine: A Q & A With The Finalists

Stuart Hall sat down with the two finalists and asked them a few questions about their lives in and outside the game of golf.

THE FINAL NINE: JACK NEWMAN

Jack Newman celebrates a semifinal win with his Michigan State teammate and caddie, Randy Hutchison. (John Mummert/USGA)

1. Q: Where do you see yourself in the game of golf in five years?

A: “On the PGA Tour playing for titles.”

2. Q: Should you win on Saturday, you get an invitation into the 2009 Masters. When you hear the words “the Masters,” what immediately comes to mind?

A: “The biggest tournament in the world.”

3. Q: Still one day to go, but what’s been your favorite story — on or off the course — from this week?

A: “I’d probably have to say beating Corey [Nagy in the quarterfinals] in 24 holes. Nothing too much going on off the course.”

4. Q: Who will win the British Open?

A: “Did David Duval make the cut?”

[Told yes]

“Then David Duval, comeback win. Starting up his career again. Getting the DD Nike going.”

5. Q: What’s one thing about yourself that would make people go “hmm” or find surprising?

A: [After a long pause] “I’m a boring guy, I guess. [Laughter]. Nothing interesting. Just your stock Midwestern guy.”

6. Q: What’s the most favorite club in your bag, and what kind is it?

A: “Cleveland XLS Hi-Bore, 2-iron, 19 degrees.”

7. Q: Is there a favorite quote that you adhere to or what’s the best advice you’ve been given?

A: “Favorite quote in general is ‘Fall down seven, stand up eight.’”

8. Q: If you could be the Czar of golf, what one rule would you change or implement?

A: “Up in the fairways if you hit it in a divot, you should be able to pull it out. I guess the traditionalists would say that’s just the way it is, but I think if you hit it in the fairway, then you should be rewarded.”

9. Q: Do you have an iPod? If so, what three songs are the most played?

A: “Yes. “ABC” by Jackson Five; “Game Over Remix” by Lil’ Flip; and “Till I Collapse” by Eninem.

THE FINAL NINE: JOHN CHIN

John Chin, a first time USGA championship participant, has advanced to Saturday's 36-hole final. (John Mummert/USGA

1. Q: Where do you see yourself in the game of golf in five years?

A: “On the PGA Tour having as much success as I’m having right now.”

2. Q: Should you win on Saturday, you get an invitation into the 2009 Masters. When you hear the words “the Masters,” what comes to mind?

A: “Green. First thing that comes to my mind. Everything green. Green jacket, green greens, everything about it is green.”

3. Q: Still one day to go, but what’s been your favorite story — on or off the course — from this week?

A: “Making a triple [bogey 7 in the second round of stroke play] and then having to par the next four holes in extremely windy conditions. Not only did I get into match play, but I proved to myself that I can just hang in there and grind it out. And luckily it was good enough to get into match play.

4. Q: Who will win the British Open?

A: “K.J. Choi. Last I checked he was leading, so … “

5. Q: What’s one thing about yourself that would make people go “hmm” or find surprising?

A: “I’m right-handed, but I play golf left.”

6. Q: What’s the most favorite club in your bag, and what kind is it?

A: “I don’t hate any of them. I’d probably say driver, Titleist D2.”

7. Q:  Is there a favorite quote that you adhere to or what’s the best advice you’ve been given?

A: “Any time I go to a tournament, my dad tells me I have as much talent as anybody else. Obviously I haven’t shown it yet, but hopefully this week will change that.”

8. Q: If you could be the Czar of golf, what one rule would you change or implement?

A: “Get rid of out of bounds, stroke and distance. That’s my rule.”

9. Q: Do you have an iPod? If so, what three songs are the most played?

A: “No, I don’t, but my mom is going to get me one since I asked for one before this tournament. She said ‘If you get to the final, I’ll get you one.’ So, how about that?”