New Game, New Thinking: Kyle Thompson profile

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As part of the New Game, New Thinking series, Kyle Thompson, one of 25 rookies on the PGA TOUR this season, recently spent some time with PGATOUR.com freelance writer Rudy Klancnik:

Any guy can relate to the situation we found Kyle Thompson in the other day when we reached him on his cell. The rookie from South Carolina is an affable young man who can usually be found working on his game on the range as he attempts to make a second-half charge up the money list. But on this day, there were no buckets of balls being struck, no bunker shots being practiced or putts being sunk. Instead, Kyle and his bride of less than a year were shopping for, wait for it, sofas.

Kyle, what gives man?

PGATOUR.com: OK, we won't tell anyone else. This is just between us. But how in the heck did you get dragged to a furniture store?

THOMPSON: (Laughs) Well, my wife travels with me on TOUR, helps me with all of my travel plans and logistics. The least I could do is to sometimes return the favor and help her find the right couch for our new house. Heck, our house needs some color so we're looking for some good-looking furniture that will be a good fit.

PGATOUR.com: So, are you a sofa expert or do you just play one on TV?

THOMPSON: Man, I'm just along for the ride and trying to nod at the right times. We picked one out that was too big so now we're looking for a smaller model.

PGATOUR.com: Hey, maybe you can make it over to Home Depot or Bed, Bath & Beyond like your boy Will Ferrell in Old School.

THOMPSON: I'll get back to the driving range in the very near future. I've got plenty of fine tune so that'll happen. But first things first.

PGATOUR.com: Seriously, Kyle, when you're not practicing or walking through Ethan Allen, what's the plan of attack?

THOMPSON: My wife and I are huge movie-goers. I don't mean that we occassionally hit the movies. We're always at the movies. We see everything that comes out. Even though we don't have kids, we just saw Wall-E, which was great. We go out with some good friends on TOUR and see movies almost every weekend we're on the road. Omar Uresti got me started on the movie train back on the Nationwide Tour and I've been going ever since.

PGATOUR.com: What about that new Angelie Jolie film, Wanted?

THOMPSON: Absolutely, we caught that one already. Good action, but not a great movie. Good popcorn movie though and lots of Jolie, which is never a bad thing. Of course, the trade off with my wife was that I had to see Sex and the City.

PGATOUR.com: Sorry, Kyle, I think we have a bad connection. It sounded like you said you went with your wife to see Sex and the City. I know that couldn't be what you said -- right?

THOMPSON: Yeah, I admit it. She saw the action flick so I went to see her movie.

PGATOUR.com: So tell me, did you tear up when Carrie and Big finally tied the knot?

THOMPSON: It wasn't my favorite movie, but if I was comparing the two films, I'd say the better plot line was with Sex and the City.

PGATOUR.com: What's your favorite golf movie of all time?

THOMPSON: That's easy, gotta be Caddyshack. That's an all-time great. Tin Cup is pretty good and so was (The Legend of) Bagger Vance. But really, I'm not a huge fan of sports movies. They just never seem very authentic. It's tough to capture the true essence of sports in a movie. I think some people think the TOUR is like Happy Gilmore.

PGATOUR.com: Coming out of South Carolina, what was your pathway to the TOUR?

THOMPSON: It's taken a while and several seasons on the Nationwide Tour, but I finally hit my stride last year and earned my card with a solid season. So far out here, I've had good weeks but haven't seen the low scores yet. It's going to come my way soon, though, because I'm playing well. I played well at the Buick, but I gave away at least five to eight strokes over the four days.

PGATOUR.com: Adjusting to the TOUR usually takes a toll physically and mentally. How have you adapted?

THOMPSON: Honestly, my experience on the Nationwide Tour helped me understand what it takes at this level. I don't feel like such a rookie because I've been through many of the ups and downs that comes with TOUR life.

PGATOUR.com: As a former Gamecock, you must be a football fan, right?

THOMPSON: No question. When I was at SC, we were terrible. We actually were the worst Division I program during my time there (0-21). Lou Holtz arrived and went 0-11 his first season, but then turned it around. Now, they've really got it going on.

PGATOUR.com: Do you have a relationship with their new big cheese, Steve Spurrier?

THOMPSON: Yeah, I've played a couple of rounds with him. He's pretty good. He doesn't hit it super far, but he's got a solid short game and he's a mean putter. But the biggest thing is that you can see how competitive he is. He just wants to win, no matter what the game. You can see why he's been a very successful football coach.

PGATOUR.com: This year's obviously been pretty hectic. You got married to Emmi at the end of December, you joined the TOUR as a rookie and now you're hunting for couches for your new house. Wow, that's quite a trifecta. What's next?

THOMPSON: Well, after we figure out this couch thing, we may move on to some other furntiure options. But I need some good paydays before we go too crazy. I'm planning to play in four tournaments in a row leading up to the PGA (Championship). I'd certainly like to have some good weeks that can lead me into the Fall and then we'll see what happens.

PGATOUR.com: Well, I wish you the best of luck. On the course, that is. I wouldn't wish furniture shopping on any man so not even well wishes can help you now.

THOMPSON: It's all good. I'm a laid back guy so I just roll with the punches.