New Game, New Thinking: Brendon Todd profile

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As part of the New Game, New Thinking series (click here to learn more), PGATOUR.COM freelance writer Rudy Klancnik profiles Brendon Todd.

Talk about questionable planning. You're about to start your first season on the toughest professional golf tour on the planet and in March -- three months into your rookie freaking season -- and you've scheduled a little thing known as a wedding. What were you thinking, Brendon Todd? Find out with the rest of us on PGATOUR.COM. We caught up with young Brendon minutes after yet another practice session. And when his cell service wasn't dropping our call, we had a great conversation.

PGATOUR.COM: Practice, practice, practice. Do you guys do anything other than pitch and putt 24-7-365? If I played that much, I'd need gloves on both hands.

TODD: Hey, Tommy Gainey already scooped you on that one. He was genius for wearing two gloves to set himself apart. Seriously, practice is what all of these guys are doing. You'd better hit it hard if you're going to stay out here and succeed out here.

PGATOUR.COM: It says here that you're single. Single and on the PGA TOUR. Can I possibly trade places with you for a weekend or two this season?

TODD: Well, I'm engaged so the single party life is in my past. That's a good thing since I really need to focus to do what I want to do out here. I partied enough at Georgia to last a lifetime. We're getting married March 17.

PGATOUR.COM: Let me get something straight...you're planning a wedding just as you start your rookie season? Are you nuts?

TODD: It's totally cool. We've planned everything in the off-season and now it's just the finishing touches. We already did the china pattern thing and we're pretty much set.

PGATOUR.COM: Yeah, like the future Mrs. Todd isn't freaking out every week with another detail about the wedding.

TODD: OK, she gets a little crazy from time to time, but she's really under control so it's great. And I'm out of town a lot right now, so that can only help (laughs).

PGATOUR.COM: Your resume is already filled with plenty of wins on various levels, from high school in North Carolina and the University of Georgia to the mini tours and the Nationwide Tour. How much does your experience in victory lane help you now?

TODD: It's huge. No matter at what level you're playing, you've got to figure out how to win. My biggest win was on the Nationwide (Tour) in Utah. You have to learn that shooting 62 in one round isn't nearly as important as shooting 67 over four rounds. Playing solid and consistent for 72 holes is no easy thing to do. I'm glad I've had success and I do think it will help, but this is a whole new challenge.

PGATOUR.COM: Playing at a program like Georgia certainly was a good launching pad.

TODD: Absolutely. Great coaching, great facilities and a very tough schedule. All of it served me well. I was fortunate to play well enough to be named All-America four times. I wouldn't have changed a thing about playing for the Bulldogs.

PGATOUR.COM: Speaking of UGA, did you hear that a certain former Hoosier and Red Raiders head basketball coach is looking at the Dawgs' opening?

TODD: Seriously? That's fantastic. Having Bobby Knight in Athens would be huge. Our basketball program really needs that sort of burst of energy. Our football program is fantastic, our women's hoops program is great and our gymnastics program is the best in the country. We need men's basketball moving in the right direction now.

PGATOUR.COM: How many of the Gym Dawgs meets did you really make as a student?

TODD: Hey, I made it to a few of them. That place went nuts for the Gym Dawgs. We had sellouts at every meet and those folks won everything there was to win. They definitely do Georgia proud.

PGATOUR.COM: If I was telling someone what type of player you most resemble, would I pick Fred Funk or Fred Couples?

TODD: More like David Toms or Zach Johnson. Both of those guys are great position golfers, they know how to beat you around the green and they usually play well at the toughest golf courses. That's my game. I'm not going to overpower a golf course. I'm a consistent ball striker who can get the putter rolling.

PGATOUR.COM: It's certainly early in your rookie season, but have you had that "I've Made It" moment yet?

TODD: Sure, every time I get to the course in the morning and see how big every tournament is and how much action is going on all around you. It's larger than I even expected. There's a ton of stuff swirling around you so it's very important that you stay focused on one shot at a time. That's good because that's how I've always approached my game and my goals. I rarely get ahead of myself.

PGATOUR.COM: That's the sixth time your cell service dropped our call. Do we need to speak to Verizon Wireless to see if we can get their network on your side?

TODD: (Laughs) Yeah, maybe so. I've heard that Verizon Wireless is doing some good things. It might be time to change.

PGATOUR.COM: When you're not practicing or picking out the grooms cake, what makes Brendan Todd tick?

TODD: I love going to concerts, mostly new alternative rock like the Kings of Leon.

PGATOUR.COM: The Kings of Who?

TODD: Dude, you need to get out more.

PGATOUR.COM: I'm too busy talking to you guys about your cushy lives. Speaking of cushy lives, what courtesy car are you sporting this week?

TODD: I'm in an awesome Yukon hybrid this week and I'll be in the new Audi Q7 next week in Pebble.

PGATOUR.COM: Once again, can we change places for a weekend or two?

TODD: Not a chance.