INTERVIEW WITH JAMES MEYER
By Golf Digest - The World According to the Winningest Man
Senior Editor of Golf Digest Doug Thompson sat down with James Meyer while he was making the turn between nines.
Posses run wild in Manzanita. On the coast, these close-knit circles of trust are almost like support groups. Kyle Tull, Daniel Zender, and Kepa Zugazaga are the ultimate posse on the trip, though there are a couple of others. Of the Bainbridge contingency, there's Sam Hoffman, David Lantz, and Jon Mathisen.
"I'm not a long-term posse guy. I'll hang around with a group of guys for a while, then start fresh with a whole new crew. People get tired of each other, and I am more of a lone wolf anyway."
It's easy to see why Meyer is upbeat. He has answered all the calls to fame brought by his success. With his name on the trophy four times, he has earned his beaming cocky smile. The media paints him as a dashing rogue, the arrogant but charming anti-hero on tour, a loveable scoundrel. These descriptions better fit the destination more so than his personal journey. In this interview, Meyer reflects on a range of topics: the disappearance of Kevin Cach, painful memories of his sole loss in 2010, slurs and bullying aimed at Pat McGarry, and what it's like being the best player in golf.
GD: Tell us how you manage the success.
JM: "Every player has a moment when they realize they can be really good. Mine came in 2012 after winning a third championship with Burke, Cach, and Lanier as supporting cast. Winning affects people in different ways. I looked forward from that win, but Cach ... it was harder for him. I think Kevin is intimidated by the tournament stage. He hasn't been back to Manzanita since, claiming 'there isn't enough redneck stuff like tank tops and shit'. More likely is he sees the writing on the wall; the odds of getting paired with me again are slim.
The difference is how I accept the success, and I am lucky - I know what I want. I want to be what I've always wanted to be: dominant."
GD: Any thoughts on the task force charged with updating the tournament format? What would you change?
JM: "I can't say I'm a fan of the push to change anything about the tournament. Bryan Leslie phoned me to explain the reasoning behind the move to a two day format, which was nice of him, but if it isn't broken, why fix it? Like I told him, 'task force' sounds desperate. After years of talk about the new format, what happens if it doesn't work? You're going to get hammered worse than ever.
Off the record, Bryan has no idea what he is doing with the rankings. Where does he rank me? Not high enough."
GD: Has your historic run resulted in any added pressure? Has the addition of a second round adversely affected your game, or hindered your confidence? Do you perceive any threats to obtaining your fifth title?
JM: No.
"I WANT TO BE WHAT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE: DOMINANT."
GD: What happened in 2010, 2013, and 2014 to keep your name off the trophy?
Portrait of Success
JM: "I was not in the 2013 and 2014 fields. In 2010 ... I don't know. Say every hole I played was the 4th at Manzanita. We're in the middle of the fairway, conditions ordinary, 4-iron to the green. Do I go for it in two or lay up? I go for it, every time. Every great person in business, athletics or anything else, has had the nerve to gamble on themselves. They have a deep self-belief. That's why, when I hit a shot fat into a hazard on the final hole of the 2010 Invitational, I stood on the tee box and laughed. It cost me a chance to win the tournament, but what the heck. I knew then and know even more now that most times I'll pull it off."
While speaking at The Rock Church in San Diego, Meyer claimed that God spoke to him in 2010 just moments after the meltdown and explained why he failed to claim the trophy.
"The shot happens, and it drops right into the lake. And I take three steps," Meyer said. "And on the third step God says to me, 'I'm using you ... I want to see how you respond. But most importantly, I want them to see how you respond."
GD: Heavy stuff. What else troubles you? What is the hardest thing for you?
JM: "Watching the McGarry tailspin throughout the weekend. One thing is for sure: There has never been anyone who has had to put up with what McGarry puts up with. Not even close. By day three, Pat is ripe for an emotional implosion. Sure, he doesn't help himself; lobbing up softballs to be ripped apart by the likes of Lantz and Zender, but come on. Give the guy a break."
GD: How does it feel to be the favorite in 2016?
JM: "Well I certainly don't think I'm the favorite. With all the great players this year, it's really anyone's tournament. I'm just trying to do the best I can out there. I tell you, the real winner is the city of Manzanita. Every time I go there it gets harder to leave. I think those guys put something in the water!
Excuse me, I've got to go play a little golf."
