SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (July 26, 2012) --
There may be no other player in the
amateur game hotter than Richy
Werenski.
The incoming junior at Georgia Tech is
fresh off a win at the prestigious Porter
Cup and on Tuesday, he qualified for his
third U.S. Amateur Championship.
Before he leaves for next week's Western
Amateur, amateurgolf.com caught up with
Werenski following his rounds of 69-67 to
take second medalist honors at The
Orchards Golf Club where he learned the
game as a child and junior golfer.
amateurgolf.com: It seems like you’re
in a great place in your game right now.
Richy Werenski: I’m not thinking
about much on the swing. I’m just thinking
about tempo and keeping it light. That has
helped me be able to score. Coming off of
last week at the Porter Cup, I knew I was
playing good. Some people could say I’m
tired, but, I mean, you’re playing golf. It
could be a lot worse. I couldn’t wait to
play today (Tuesday). Even on my days
off, I’ll be up here at 7 or 8 in the morning
to practice.
AGC: You shot 62 on Saturday at the
Porter Cup. Have you ever been that hot?
RW: I’d never gotten that hot in
a tournament like that. I shot 62 in a
match at school but it wasn’t anything
serious, so that was pretty hot at the
Porter Cup. For a lot of guys, when they
start getting out of their comfort zone
they start thinking about it. But I was able
to just look at everything and see that it
had a chance to go in. I was feeling good
and focused more on the process than the
swing. If it went in, it went in and then I
was on to the next hole.
AGC: You’re name is now on the same
trophy as a lot of great Porter Cup
winners. How does that feel?
RW: Phil Mickelson, that’s kind of
cool. Winning at the Porter Cup means a
lot. I haven’t won a whole lot so it was
nice to win that. I just love the
tournament, it’s been going on for 50
years and it has great history. People who
have won have pretty much gone on to do
some great things. The win was also good
for the Walker Cup next year. My name
probably wasn’t on the watch list. After a
good Western and U.S. Amateur, it might
be.
AGC: What are your thoughts heading
into the U.S. Amateur?
RW: I’ve played two U.S.
Amateurs. I qualified at Southern Hills in
2009 and at Chambers Bay in 2010. In
2009, I missed match play but in 2010, I
made match play and lost to Morgan
Hoffman in the second round. I’d love to
make match play, which would pretty
much be good with me. Once you get to
match play, anything can happen. It’s
anyone’s game. A lot of things have to go
your way. I like match play but it’s tough
when you’re focused on stroke play all
summer. That’s why I’m going to the
Western. Of course I want to win. I know
I’m good enough.
AGC: Last year, you had a handful of
2nd place finishes but no wins.
RW: This fall at school I really
started getting frustrated knowing I could
play so much better. How I was finishing, I
started thinking man I haven’t won in two
years. But I said to myself, ‘the more times
you put yourself out there, the more
chances you have.’ I wasn’t happy last
year. I’m not even happy this summer. I’m
feeling pretty good but I’m still hungry.
AGC: What are your goals in golf?
RW: My ultimate goal is to be on
the PGA Tour and be the No. 1 player in
the world. Short term, I want to finish out
college and be a first team All-American. I
think if I go out and play like I know I can
play and not let head get in the way, I
have it locked up. I have a lot of
experience in college situations; it will be
tough but I know if I play anywhere near
my ability, I can do it.
AGC: What in your preparation has
helped lead to your great success?
RW: Last year, I’ve worked more
on swing things. Recently, I’ve just been
trying to fix my tempo, keep things light
and visualize. Trust my swing and
wherever it goes, it goes. I know what I
need to do subconsciously where I think
about it and know what I have to do on
the next swing.
AGC: You have a younger brother,
Mickey, who is a great player, too.
RW: I’ve never met somebody
who loves the game more than him. He’s
not had the best year. He had a huge
growth spurt and is 6-foot-3 now. He
practices so much, it’s only a matter of
time for him. He’s a senior at Heritage
Academy and will play the next year at
Texas A&M.
