Corey Pavin won the Los Angeles City Amateur Championship and the Junior World Championship at 17 and went on to a career at UCLA that included All-America honors in 1979 and 1982, a year when he also was NCAA Player of the Year.
The graduate of Oxnard High also was a member of the victorious 1981 U.S. Walker Cup team, began his PGA Tour career in 1984 and finished it with 15 victories. His biggest highlight, though, was a 4-wood shot on the 72nd hole that landed near the cup and led to Pavin’s two-stroke victory over Greg Norman at the 1995 U.S. Open.
The captain of the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup that lost by a point in Wales began playing on the Champions Tour in 2010 and won his lone title on the senior circuit in 2012, at the Allianz Championship.
Pavin, 56, took time to talk to Southland Golf about his career highlights, money in today’s game and technology among other topics
Q: What do you make of the influence of technology on the game?
I think any era you play in or read about, they’re always talking about technology changing the game. Even back in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, that was a conversation, and it seems to be happening again. It’s great that it becomes a factor but I think it needs to be kept in check. I think there was a little phase there where it got a little out of hand and the USGA is trying to keep things in check now. Hopefully they can keep doing that.
Q: Is technology making some courses obsolete?
It’s going to be hard to go backwards with technology. The USGA is not going to be able to do that or impose that. Some of the courses are a little short. We played Merion, which held up fine. But length isn’t the only way to make a golf course hard. If it’s set up with rough and tough greens, that’s what makes it play more difficult. Some courses are obsolete but, for the most part, setting up a golf course tough is the best defense.
Q: What do you make of the money in the game now compared to your heyday?
I’m all for purses increasing. It’s the nature of sport, isn’t it? Every sport, the athletes are making more and more money. It’s the inflation that comes with it. I’m all for us making more money; I’m not against it, that’s for sure.
Q: In your experience, does the increasing of purses cause players to be OK with settling for second or third instead of winning?
Winners are winners; people that want to compete are going to compete. For me it was always secondary as to how much money I made. I didn’t know. I wouldn’t be out on the course thinking, ‘I won the tournament and I made this much money.’ I just knew that if I played better I’d make more money. … The guys that have that mindset are still going to want to win. It doesn’t matter how much money they make or how little they make, they’re still going to want to win. After I finished a tournament I’d look it up and see what I made but I wouldn’t know until then. All I knew is if you win you’re going to make more money, you’re going to get the ‘W’ and that’s what I cared about, playing the best I could and finishing as high as I could. The rest would take care of itself.
Q: What’s the best shot you’ve hit in your career?
Obviously, the 4-wood at Shinnecock was one of the greatest shots I’ve ever hit.
I think, mentally, I was just in my happy place and I was able to deliver when I needed to. That was a major stage as well and I’m glad it came together for me.
Q: What’s the best overall round you feel you’ve played?
Probably the last round at the U.S. Open in 1995, considering the pressure and everything. I only shot 2 under but I really played well and smart and just managed my game well that day.
Q: If you could have a mulligan in your career, where would you use it?
That’s an easy one for me: The 1986 Masters on the 16th tee. I think [eventual winner] Jack Nicklaus was a group or two behind me and I’d like to have that shot over again. I hit it in the water. It’s the one time I’d really choked in a tournament.
Q: What’s your favorite club?
There are a few clubs I like in my bag: my 5-wood, rescue club, sand wedges and putter. Those are all clubs that I’m OK with.
Q: What’s your most prized possession?
In golf terms I’d have to call it a tie between my U.S. Open trophy and Ryder Cup captaincy. It was really fun to be captain; it was a great honor.
Q: Do you have a specialty in the kitchen?
I’m not a great cook, but I make chili cheese omelets. That’s about the only thing I’m good at in the kitchen.
