INTERVIEW: A quick nine with Natalie Gulbis
Mark Townsend met up with the American golden girl who is more than just a pretty face, having just played in her third Solheim Cup...
You have struggled with your back in the past year. How is it now?
It's ok. Not great but ok. This year was definitely going to be a recovery year but we're getting there. I'm now able to work out five days a week for about 60 to 90 minutes, I do a lot of cardio and weights as well as core strength and flexibility.
What is it like working with Butch Harmon?
I have worked with Butch since I turned professional eight years ago. My swing has got a lot shorter over the years and he has been a great mentor. He has really taught me to appreciate the game and embrace those people outside the ropes. They're just golfers like you and me.
How much time do you get to spend with Butch's other pupils?
I get a lot of access and I quiz the heck out of them. I have played with Tiger and asked him all about his golf ethic and how he manages his time. I have also met Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott and Open champion Stewart Cink who is fantastic and the nicest guy you could ever meet.
What was being in Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice like?
It was so much fun being around all those different personalities and it was great to raise so much money, something like four million dollars. Playing on the LPGA you might only get 200,000 people watching but this is the number one show on NBC so they get around nine million viewers.
What was the feedback like?
I get recognised a lot more and thankfully it was all positive. I got to the ninth episode of 12 so I did ok.
As one of the most recognisable faces in ladies' golf, how do you feel you are treated by the media?
They have always been very supportive. Even before I won the Evian Masters a couple of years ago I was in contention a lot and was a good player, it wasn't like I was 100th in the world.
How do you rate your progress over the years?
I would like to have won more since the Evian. I'm a golfer first and am extremely competitive and very dedicated so I thought I would have performed better. The injury hasn't helped but I'm hoping to get back inside the top 10 within a year.
How strong is the LPGA Tour?
The product is the best it's ever been and it is deeper than ever. Before, if you were having a good week, you would have a good finish. Now you need a great week to have a good finish. The top players have really raised the bar, they win three or four times but also contend the other weeks.
Has there ever been any bad feeling about the amount of exposure you get?
There has never been any friction. Golf is a cool sport and the other players are great. It's not like tennis where you play against each other. I feel like an old timer now, young players now come to me for advice. I’m good friends with Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer as well as Juli Inkster, Cristie Kerr, Meg Mallon and Beth Daniel who mentored me in my early days.
ABOUT NATALIE
Born: 7/1/1983
Turned pro: 2001
LPGA wins: 1 - Evian Masters 2007
Best Major finish: 3rd - Kraft Nabisco 2006
Solheim Cup: 2005, 07, 09
Website: www.nataliegulbis.com