New Game, New Thinking: Ricky Barnes 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 Ricky Barnes.

When you've already beaten Tiger Woods at the Masters, how could it possibly get any better? For the affable Ricky Barnes, the best seems destined to be right around the corner. Barnes did top his 2003 Masters playing partner Tiger Woods by seven shots in the first round of the tournament. He finished an impressive 21st after four rounds at Augusta and was a PGA TOUR sensation thanks to his Hollywood good looks and fun-loving personality. Now, six years after that unlikely run, Barnes is back on center stage. He talked with PGATOUR.COM reporter Rudy Klancnik as he smacked crisp wedge shots in perfect San Diego weather during an off week.

PGATOUR.COM: So you're hitting wedge shots while we're talking. Is this Vijay?

BARNES: I can definitely concentrate on both things (laughs). And there's nothing wrong with working as hard as guys like Vijay, Tiger and Phil. You'd better arrive early and stay late because that's what those guys do every day.

PGATOUR.COM: What brings you to San Diego, other than the great weather, great views, great golf courses, great restaurants, etc.?

BARNES: I didn't get into Tampa and I'm skipping Bay Hill to get ready for Houston. It's good to step back a bit after a few weeks of tournaments so I can fine tune some things. I'm really close to playing well over four rounds but I really need work on my short game.

PGATOUR.COM: Hence the wedge shots.

BARNES: Exactly. I've been hitting the ball well all year and have made four of five cuts. But I'm not playing great around the green and that's costing me so far. Then again, I'm just not a fast starter. Never have been. Not in college and not on the Nationwide Tour. It takes me a while to get into the right form, but I think it's coming along.

PGATOUR.COM: Have the experiences you've lived by winning the 2002 U.S. Amateur or playing so well at the Masters helped you this first year?

BARNES: To a certain extent, sure. I was used to the spotlight to some point. But this is a different level in terms of crowds and expectations. I've played in a lot of TOUR events and that's a good thing, but this season I'm a rookie and I've got a long way to go to make it out here on a consistent basis.

PGATOUR.COM: What type of player would you characterize yourself as?

BARNES: Fans will definitely know what I'm feeling out there. I don't hide my emotions. Sure, I can contain some emotions if I need to hit shot after shot. But there's no need to be out here if I'm never going to show some emotion. I can hit it long off the tee, but the difference now is that I'm finding the fairway instead of just smashing it all over the map. I've given up some distance for accuracy, which is key on the TOUR.

PGATOUR.COM: Sounds like you're not nearly as much fun as before (laughs)

BARNES: I wouldn't say that! I feed off the crowd and want to reach out and touch as many folks in the gallery as possible. I think it's very important to give the fans something to remember each and every time I'm out there. I think the entire TOUR should be more interactive, especially in these economic times. We've got to show people how much we appreciate their support.

PGATOUR.COM: How about the support that was overhead a couple of weeks back when a fan was heard cheering for a player's ball to go into the water?

BARNES: Well, that's the different between our sport and team sports. You hear lots of negatives stuff at a basketball game. But in golf, everyone is hoping you do well to a large extent. You just don't hear a lot of negative comments like that. If that happened to me and the ball did go into the water, I'm the type of guy who probably would have laughed and told him he was right.

PGATOUR.COM: What drives you nuts on the course?

BARNES: Slow play is without a doubt the most frustrating thing. I'd like to see more guys punished for playing too slow but officials haven't done much about it other than warnings and putting people on the clock.

PGATOUR.COM: Do you see slow play more on the greens or is it something that happens all over the course?

BARNES: There are certainly guys who look over putts from 25 different angles, but the thing that drives you crazy is watching a guy stand over his ball in the middle of the fairway. A lot of slow players know they're slow and admit it to everyone. But the worst culprits are the guys who don't admit it. If they started taking away strokes as punishment and that started costing guys real money, I think you'd see everyone speed up.

PGATOUR.COM: When you're not watching your playing partner grind over a two-foot par putt and you're away from the course or driving range, what constitutes fun for Ricky Barnes?

BARNES: I'm a huge sports nut and love going to any live sporting event. I'm a big Chargers fan and follow their every move. Right now I'm debating whether or not to travel to Indy to see my Wildcats (University of Arizona) play Louisville. I'm an alum and have been spoiled with a great college basketball program for a long time. This year is a bit of a surprise but our big three can really turn it on when they're playing together.

PGATOUR.COM: From the sounds of those crisp wedge shots I'm hearing in the background, practice seems pretty important to your world as well.

BARNES: This is my business now so I treat it as such. I'm here by 7 a.m. and get home after 5:30 p.m. I'm constantly working on my game because I want to stay out here and succeed out here. Believe me, those other guys are doing the same so you have to keep your competitive edge. As impressive as some of the world's best players are, it's also the guy who's grinding out 10 to 15 years on the TOUR and consistently pulling in top-10s and top-15s every week that would be nice. But it's not all about beating balls on the range. I'd much rather play and work on my skills on the course.

PGATOUR.COM: Maybe next time I could call you on a Thursday and we could chat during a competitive round, let's say Houston? If you win, I'll be your lucky charm and we become the golf story of the year.

BARNES: (Laughs) That would be cool. I'd have to buy you out of your current contract.

PGATOUR.COM: That wouldn't take much. Just make sure I have a courtesy car.