My interview with Morgan Pressel about her preparation for U.S. Women's Open

I communicated via email recently with Morgan Pressel. I had a few questions about her regimen leading up to this week’s U.S. Women’s Open. The amateur golfer can learn much from Pressel’s determination and “eye on the prize” attitude.

I wondered how her enthusiasm after winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship would translate into this third major event of the season.

Here is our correspondence.

Stacy: What do you do to prepare for a golf tournament, both physically and mentally?

Morgan: Practice practice practice. there is no substitute for quality practice. I like to make sure I know the golf courses that we play well, and that I am comfortable with my swing and game before I tee it up any week

Stacy: Do you work on certain things in particular at the gym to maintain physical strength?

Morgan: I work on a little bit of everything. strength training, stretching/flexibility exercises, cardio and endurance. It is a long season, and each piece is important.

Stacy: Do you have any mantra that you use to prepare yourself for the mental challenge of both the course and the pressure of the golfers you play against?

Morgan: Not really. I don’t know what else to say here, other than there is a lot of pressure out here, and I try to only worry about the pressure I put on myself, and not worry about pressure anybody else tries to put on me.

Stacy: Do you prepare differently for a major tournament than for a regular LPGA Tour event?

Morgan: I like to make sure that I am more than prepared for a major. I like to be prepared for every event, but I try to peak for the majors and get extra practice if it’s possible.

It appears that Morgan, during her recent LPGA pre-tournament interview, has learned how to handle the pressure of questioning and the rigors of tournament life. She doesn’t show much anger anymore and handles interviews with aplomb.

When queried about golfers such as Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam and young Alexis Thompson, Morgan graciously reponded, appearing more adult than her teenage years would show. Even when Michelle Wie’s name was tossed about in at the end, Morgan refused to show anger but, matter-of-factly admitted that Wie helps the women every time she plays just by showing up. “Even when she comes out and doesn’t play well, she’s still the lead story. She brings a lot of publicity to all the tournaments.”

Even this writer couldn’t help but throw Michelle Wie’s name into a story that was solely about Morgan Pressel. But, I believe that the back-and-forth friendly confrontation between the ladies on tour is what stimulates ticket sales and increased television audience.

My wish for Morgan Pressel is that her Kraft Nabisco Championship win is the first in a lifetime of victories. Perhaps heavy hitting sponsors like Nike and Sony should take a look at this nineteen-year old major winner and put their money on a sure bet.