North Carolina State University Athletics
TIM PEELER: Pettersson, Clark Ready to Shine in Greensboro
10/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
BY TIM PEELER
Former NC State All-America golfers Carl Pettersson and Tim Clark are two of the best in the world in their profession, and this weekend they return “home” to play in the 2006 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro at Forest Oaks Country Club.
For Pettersson, who spent two years at
Both players were in the media tent Wednesday afternoon at the CCG to review their seasons and talk about their prospects over the next four weeks. A transcript of those interviews, courtesy of ASAP Sports, follows. For live scoring and results for the CCG over the next four days, check out www.pgatour.com.
CARL PETTERSSON
Events: 24
Cuts made: 19
Top 10s: 6
Top 25s: 11
PGA Tour money: $2,517,982
Money rank: 14th
Current World Golf Ranking: 28th
TODD BUDNICK: We thank Carl Pettersson for stopping by the 2006 Chrysler Classic at
CARL PETTERSSON: You never know. I hope so. Played pretty good last week. Played pretty good today. You never know but, hopefully, just go out and try my best and see what happens.
TODD BUDNICK: Talk a little about the course. You just had a chance to play it. Give us conditionwise. Also, you've also been a very good fall player. You've had some good finishes last two years.Just talk about that, how the two go hand in hand.
CARL PETTERSSON: I think the course is nice. Greens are good and same layout we had last three, four years and I don't know why I seem to play well in the fall. I don't know why but I do. It takes me awhile to get going maybe but this year I played good in the beginning of the year so I hope I can have one of my good fall finishes and play well for the four tournaments.
TODD BUDNICK: Picked up your second career victory earlier at the Memorial tournament. Talk about what that did for you.
CARL PETTERSSON: I think it was nice. One victory is nice but when you get the second one it kind of confirms the first victory and just given me a lot of confidence that if I play well, I know I can win.That's the major part.
TODD BUDNICK: You're 14th on the money list with four weeks to go. Does the Top 10 a place you've won already. You're in the Tour Championship. What goals do you have left this year?
CARL PETTERSSON: Well, I'd like to try to win again but it's so difficult in golf to win. Tiger has been winning every week. I've got a little miniature goal, try to finish Top 10 on the money list and play well the rest of the year and see what happens.
TODD BUDNICK: Have any questions?
Q Carl, over the time that you spent high school and in college in
CARL PETTERSSON: No. I've only played it a couple times before this tournament. I enjoy playing it. I can't quite remember too much of it. But I actually skipped high school and come back here and watch the guys.
Q. When you were at
CARL PETTERSSON: No. I was too involved in golf already. I started there my junior year and I was pretty serious in my golf at that time so I just concentrated on one support. Kind of glad I did.
TIM CLARK
Events: 20
Cuts made: 17
Top 10s: 4
Top 25s: 9
PGA Tour money: $1,866, 504
Money rank: 29th
Current World Golf Rank: 20th
TODD BUDNICK: We thank Tim Clark for joining us here for the 2006 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.Tim, you've played here a couple times, tied for sixth in 2005 and, of course, a fan favorite being an NC Stater. Talk about coming back here this week.
TIM CLARK: It's nice to be back in
TODD BUDNICK: You just had a chance to play in the Pro Am. Talk about what the course is like this year condition-wise.
TIM CLARK: The course looks very good. I always like the way that it plays, Bermuda grass in the fairways and it's not always in perfect condition but I think that's what makes it good. You get a lot of different lies, lot of different shots required. So it certainly is a fun course to play.
TODD BUDNICK: Looks like looking at your records you maybe took some time off or did you have an injury?
TIM CLARK: Well, I've had a bit of a injury since the British Open and I kind of went overseas for the last four weeks to play in the World Match Play and the Am Ex last week. I haven't played over here as a result of that. I've been striking with a bit of a neck injury and it just kind of has affected my play a little bit. I haven't played quite like I like to.
TODD BUDNICK: Okay. We'll take some questions.
Q. What attracted you to NC State?
TIM CLARK: Another South African kid at NC State and his father spoke to the coach. I was back in
TODD BUDNICK: You are 29th on the money list. Obviously four weeks left to play, Tour Championship on your mind. You made your first one last year. Talk a little about your goals heading down the rest of the way.
TIM CLARK: Yeah. I guess I'm kind of running out of time. I'm playing this week obviously hoping for a good week here. I got two more weeks to do it. I probably need a Top 5 just to be certain because the numbers obviously affect me but it's obviously something I really want to do, I'd like to go back to the Tour Championship and maybe I'll take care of it this week.
TODD BUDNICK: You're a guy still looking for his first victory. You've been one of the top players out here. We've had 12 first time winners. J.D. Trahan won last week How special would it be for you to win in a state where you went to college and have that opportunity?
TIM CLARK: It would be great to win here. Obviously, I have a lot of support and kind of be like going back in time when I won the amateur event in
Q. Do you keep up with NC State, how they're doing in football, basketball?
TIM CLARK: When they play well I do. I do speak English. But, no, certainly I try and keep up with what's going on. It's always fun to catch the game on TV when it is on and I think I'm going to go Thursday night to watch them play Florida State so, you know, hopefully things go well.
TODD BUDNICK: Any other questions for Tim?
Q Wouldn't mind being introduced to the crowd as the leader of the
TIM CLARK: That would be after one day but it would be good but I think I'll just hang back there.
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
