Berry Henson of the United States talks about his ultimate goal in golf, his motivation to excel and his happiest moment on the golf course. Excerpts:
1. What goes through your mind when you step up to the tee for every round?
I think about putting the ball on the fairway.
2. What gives you an edge over your fellow rivals on the course?
My maturity because I’ve been doing this for 10 years and I use a lot of sports psychology in my game.
3. What do you do to keep yourself in tip-top physical shape?
I train with my trainer back home and try to do one hard work-out in a week when I’m on the road.
4. Do you have any superstitions on the golf course?
Sometimes I like to use the same ball marker for the whole week.
5. After a 65, would you get back to the range or take the rest of the day off?
I’ll go to the range if I have something to work on to improve on my game.
6. How about after a 78?
It will be the same. I’ll practice if I have something to work on.
7. What motivates you to excel?
Setting goals and trying to achieve those goals.
8. What do you dislike the most on the golf course?
Hitting my ball into a divot on the fairway!
9. Describe yourself in one sentence?
I’m laidback, motivated and fun to be around.
10. What’s been your happiest moment on the golf course?
Shooting a 59 in a tournament in Palm Springs, California in June, 2007.
11. How about the most embarrassing moment?
When I shanked my wedge shot on the 10th hole during the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters. That hasn’t happened in a while!
12. Who is your favourite roommate and why?
Ben Fox because he is the only one who would stay with me!
13. Tell us one thing about you that not many people know?
Some people don’t know that I like to dance.
14. Tell us about your first ever full 18 holes and what did you shoot?
I think I shot a 102 when I was five years old.
15. How long did it take you to get to single handicap?
It took me about 10 years.
16. Would you prefer to play on a 7,700 yard golf course or a shorter but penal golf course, why?
I like them both but I’m a long hitter so a longer course would suit my game better.
17. If you were not a golfer, what would you be?
I would be a professional DJ or a dancer.
18. What is your ultimate goal in golf?
To get to number one in the world.
About HENSON
Country: United States
Date Of Birth: July 4, 1979
Residence: California
Family: Single
Turned Pro: 2003
ASIAN TOUR VICTORY: (1) 2011 ICTSI Philippine Open.
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT TOUR WIN: (1) 2011 Clearwater Masters, Perak, Malaysia.
OTHER WIN: (1) Long Beach Open 2013
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Berry enjoyed his rookie season with two victories in the span of three weeks. He made a superb breakthrough on the Asian Tour by winning the 2011 ICTSI Philippine Open, holding off a late charge by local hope Jay Bayron to win by one stroke following an up-and-down par save on the last hole. Prior to that, he dominated the 2011 Clearwater Masters with a seven-stroke victory at the inaugural Asian Development Tour event. He went on to finish in seventh place at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic. In 2012, he enjoyed four top-10s and missed only two cuts all year to finish 19th on the Order of Merit.
PERSONAL: He enjoys dancing and did a dance rendition from the movie Saturday Night Fever on the Asian Tour Golf Show in 2011. Laid back and a wonderful ball striker.
