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Her runner-up? BJ's partner Sherri Turner. It was like deja-vu all over
again. But the Wendy's event is just 18 holes, and this time it was every
woman for herself.
Describe your approach to an 18 hole tournament. Are you more aggressive,
less aggressive? Do you do anything differently?
Figg:
Even though we won by 4 in Boston, my game was struggling a little. I felt
like I needed a lesson. So I popped in an old tape I had about taking it
back properly. I knew I was off line and the tape really helped with turn at
the top and coming through. I am a visual learner. I had no expectations,
but it really helped bring it all together. All of a sudden, it just
clicked. I also had a local caddie - Ron Ellison, who is a Country Club of
Jackson member, on my bag. He actually worked at my family's golf club when
he was young. Helped me read the greens. I left some putts out there, but I
was draining most of them. I birdied the first hole, missed a 3-footer on 2
and then starting on number 11, birdied 5 straight holes.
Turner: There is no time for mistakes in an 18 hole event. Every
shot really counts because there is not another day to make up. I always try
to stay to my game plan, shoot the lowest score I can.
Cindy, how did it feel to win again for the
2nd week in a row?!
Figg: I say, when's the next tournament?
Sherri, you tried to catch her. Did you
miss any putts? Was it closer than we think?
Turner: I had no idea what anyone was doing. The only thing I
knew was that Laurel shot 70 because she was already finished when I made
the turn and the only one on the board because she was first off. There
wasn't a scoreboard or anything. The conditions were tough so I had no idea
what score would win, but I was so proud that Cindy won it.
How long have you been playing in the
Wendy's event? Were you glad to see them add a pro tournament and what did
you think of the field you were up against?
Figg: I've played in it since the beginning, and I take my
hat off to the Jackson community. Their vision with the event and its
growth, how much they've helped the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption,
Mark Behm and the Stanton's are so great. In a tough Michigan economy, I'm
impressed with how much they've raised for charity. Over a million dollars.
And the Country Club of Jackson golf course is awesome - I honestly think
they could host a Women's Open. Best greens I've seen in a long time. It's
nice to play in Michigan again.
Turner: I have played in the event for about 6 years. I love the
tournament format with the pro-am the following day. It's a great golf
course and the field was excellent. There is always stiff competition on the
Legends Tour.
The weather was
brisk - do you like it better when the wind blows?
Figg: I don't mind it - didn't seem that bad to me (laughs). I
went to college in Texas and learned how to deal with the wind. I think when
you're playing well, you just adapt so much easier.
Turner: Typically, I don't care to play in the wind or cold,
because as I have gotten older, it's harder to stay loose.
What do you think of the one-day tournament format? Did the course favor any
aspects of your game in particular?
Figg:
I like it because it's kind of like a shootout. I grew up in Michigan, so I
know the grasses, and I have a good visual of typical course layouts.
Because I've played CCJ a few times before I knew about certain pin
placements and I remembered the severity of some of the greens. It
definitely helped.
Turner: I love the one day shootout. You have to be ready to play
and have no time for mistakes. Some holes are longer and the Par 5's are
more accessible which gives me an advantage.
Looking back on the year leading up to
these two events, did you work harder on your game(s)? Are you still playing
the LPGA Tour? Can you think of anything specific that put you on top of the
leader board these last two weeks over your legendary peers?
Figg: I haven't been playing week in and week out like I used
to, so I'm just grateful to be playing golf and just to be out there with a
great attitude. I've also spent a lot of my summer in Michigan which helped
with the Wendy's event. I think, too, that I was really motivated to qualify
for the Handa Cup in December. Winning the BJ's event made that a reality.
It was great - Kathy Whitworth called me right after we won. I played with
her a few times on the LPGA Tour, and it will be an honor and a privilege to
play under her at the Handa Cup. We were both students of Harvey Penick. She
was wondering about captaining again, and I said Harvey would turn over in
his grave if I finally qualified and you weren't the Captain. In bowling,
when you get three strikes it's a turkey - she's been the Captain twice, so
this will be her third time. I think I'm going to get her a turkey.
Turner: Haven't really done anything different as far as
preparation. I have played regularly on the LPGA Tour, but a week before
BJ's, I took a putting lesson from Stan Utley, and it made a world of
difference. Something new and something different is always exciting. I
putted excellent at both BJ's and Wendy's. I want to be sure and thank all
of the people who are involved with putting the BJ's and Wendy's events
together and the sponsors as well. Without these people, we wouldn't be able
to do what we love for a living. |
