Michigan Golf Journal September 2021

“So, we worked through shot shape and through feel. We worked on my fundamentals really hard. And he was a firm believer in what comes natural is repeatable. And so, we know if you can repeat it, it really doesn’t matter what it looks like. So, if it’s natural to you, we’ll work on the fundamentals and let your natural ability take over and you can repeat that under pressure. It was a good lesson for me. “If he had probably tried to take my golf swing and break it down and try to look like everyone else’s, then I probably wouldn’t have played golf for a living.” Q I try to catch the Payne Stewart Award ceremony every year, and you were genuinely humble, and you seemed overcome by winning that award in 2016. How did that award compare to a lot of the tournament wins we’ve seen you accumulate in your career? A “For one thing, having Payne’s family in the room made it very emotional. I didn’t know Payne as well as other players but I had some pretty good times with Payne. When you spent time with him you were always going to have fun. He was going to make sure that was going to happen. So, to win an award with his name, first and foremost meant a lot, but I think to receive an award (based) more on the things you do off the golf course rather than on the course, means a lot to the players as well. It kind of puts things in perspective and is something you can be very proud of in the long run. “When I go through the list of guys that won that before me, and now after me, it’s just a wonderful group to be included in, and an honor.” MGJ Tour pro Jim Furyk