1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:12,787 Speaker 2: Well. 4 00:00:12,827 --> 00:00:15,307 Speaker 3: Great news for golf fans. Steve Elks coming home for 5 00:00:15,347 --> 00:00:18,067 Speaker 3: the twenty twenty five New Zealand Golf Open. Fresh from 6 00:00:18,107 --> 00:00:21,867 Speaker 3: winning the PGA Champions Tour overall season title for a 7 00:00:21,907 --> 00:00:25,307 Speaker 3: second time in three years. The tournament organizers have confirmed 8 00:00:25,347 --> 00:00:27,187 Speaker 3: this week that Steve Elker will tee it up again 9 00:00:27,187 --> 00:00:30,667 Speaker 3: at Millbrook And twenty twenty five and he joins us now, Steve, 10 00:00:31,347 --> 00:00:33,347 Speaker 3: the last key we to win it was Michael Henry 11 00:00:33,387 --> 00:00:36,187 Speaker 3: in twenty seventeen. How special would it be to win 12 00:00:36,227 --> 00:00:36,907 Speaker 3: your home Open? 13 00:00:37,747 --> 00:00:39,307 Speaker 4: Oh, it'll be super special. 14 00:00:39,427 --> 00:00:42,667 Speaker 2: I mean, you know, i might not be the favorite 15 00:00:42,667 --> 00:00:45,067 Speaker 2: in the field, but I'll be giving it everything. And 16 00:00:45,427 --> 00:00:47,947 Speaker 2: we're going to have an amazing field of New Zealanders 17 00:00:47,947 --> 00:00:50,627 Speaker 2: this year. I mean there's so many guys playing well 18 00:00:50,627 --> 00:00:54,547 Speaker 2: and getting some experience all over the world. So all 19 00:00:54,587 --> 00:00:56,067 Speaker 2: I can say is just come out and support the 20 00:00:56,147 --> 00:00:58,787 Speaker 2: Kiwis and I think it's I think we're due and 21 00:00:59,787 --> 00:01:00,987 Speaker 2: let's get a Kiwi champion. 22 00:01:01,067 --> 00:01:03,307 Speaker 3: Ehe absolutely well, your game seems to be in the 23 00:01:03,307 --> 00:01:07,027 Speaker 3: perfect place to achieve at twenty twenty four other superb 24 00:01:07,107 --> 00:01:09,747 Speaker 3: year for you, What are the main reasons for your 25 00:01:10,627 --> 00:01:12,987 Speaker 3: excellent consistency on the Champions Tour. 26 00:01:13,987 --> 00:01:15,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, I think. 27 00:01:14,947 --> 00:01:17,787 Speaker 2: You know, that was my third full season now, so 28 00:01:18,187 --> 00:01:19,587 Speaker 2: you know, I'm coming on the swing of it. I 29 00:01:19,627 --> 00:01:23,027 Speaker 2: know the golf courses, and you know the competition I'm 30 00:01:23,067 --> 00:01:26,067 Speaker 2: up against. There's always some some rookies coming on. We 31 00:01:26,067 --> 00:01:28,347 Speaker 2: say rookies in a fift year old, but we've got 32 00:01:28,507 --> 00:01:30,267 Speaker 2: we've got that, We've got the young, We've got the 33 00:01:30,307 --> 00:01:33,147 Speaker 2: young guys coming on and they're they're pretty hungry and 34 00:01:33,187 --> 00:01:33,827 Speaker 2: wanting to win. 35 00:01:33,947 --> 00:01:35,907 Speaker 4: So competition is getting better. 36 00:01:35,947 --> 00:01:39,467 Speaker 2: So I think that's actually it feels like it's motivated 37 00:01:39,627 --> 00:01:42,227 Speaker 2: me at least to get a little bit better and 38 00:01:42,707 --> 00:01:46,107 Speaker 2: just get the consistency and try and give myself a 39 00:01:46,187 --> 00:01:48,107 Speaker 2: chance to win every week, and that's going to help 40 00:01:48,147 --> 00:01:50,667 Speaker 2: my game and I certainly with my consistency anyway, it's 41 00:01:50,707 --> 00:01:53,827 Speaker 2: been it's been one of those seasons. It's been ready consistently, 42 00:01:53,907 --> 00:01:56,947 Speaker 2: a lot of chances to win in the thick of it, 43 00:01:56,987 --> 00:01:59,187 Speaker 2: and just you know, very very fortunate to get up 44 00:01:59,227 --> 00:02:01,027 Speaker 2: at the end. So there's always a little bit lack involved, 45 00:02:01,027 --> 00:02:03,947 Speaker 2: but it was it was nice to snatch another year 46 00:02:04,027 --> 00:02:04,547 Speaker 2: end title. 47 00:02:04,987 --> 00:02:07,827 Speaker 3: How differently are you playing now compared to when you 48 00:02:07,867 --> 00:02:08,387 Speaker 3: were younger? 49 00:02:11,707 --> 00:02:15,387 Speaker 2: Yeah, differently in the fact that I think I've got 50 00:02:15,387 --> 00:02:18,107 Speaker 2: a lot more freedom when I'm on the golf course now. 51 00:02:18,147 --> 00:02:20,987 Speaker 2: You know, I might not worry about things as much. 52 00:02:21,067 --> 00:02:23,307 Speaker 2: You know, I'm getting older and just matured better. So 53 00:02:23,987 --> 00:02:28,667 Speaker 2: that's certainly one thing. And you know, I practice smarter 54 00:02:28,747 --> 00:02:31,307 Speaker 2: and you're getting older and the body can't take it 55 00:02:31,347 --> 00:02:33,747 Speaker 2: as much, so I don't I don't practice as much, 56 00:02:33,787 --> 00:02:36,787 Speaker 2: but I probably practice smarter. So I should have started that, 57 00:02:36,907 --> 00:02:38,867 Speaker 2: like twenty five thirty years ago, mate, I'd have been 58 00:02:38,867 --> 00:02:39,267 Speaker 2: all right. 59 00:02:40,547 --> 00:02:44,307 Speaker 3: Are you perhaps less hard on yourself now compared to 60 00:02:44,347 --> 00:02:45,507 Speaker 3: earlier in your career? 61 00:02:45,867 --> 00:02:47,627 Speaker 4: Yes, yeah, definitely definitely. 62 00:02:47,627 --> 00:02:49,507 Speaker 2: And you know, if I if I could go back, 63 00:02:49,627 --> 00:02:53,027 Speaker 2: you know, twenty five years and give myself some advice, 64 00:02:53,427 --> 00:02:55,587 Speaker 2: that would be definitely one thing that I would do. 65 00:02:55,707 --> 00:02:59,267 Speaker 2: And you know that's right when I'm talking to other 66 00:02:59,347 --> 00:03:01,827 Speaker 2: Kiwis or youngsters, you know, try and install that into 67 00:03:01,827 --> 00:03:04,547 Speaker 2: them because gold was such a game. Well every sport 68 00:03:04,627 --> 00:03:07,267 Speaker 2: is now it's so competitive, but golf more so. You 69 00:03:07,387 --> 00:03:09,427 Speaker 2: just you know, it's it's a mental game and you 70 00:03:09,467 --> 00:03:12,267 Speaker 2: want to you want to just beat yourself up sometimes 71 00:03:12,547 --> 00:03:15,147 Speaker 2: for not doing what you want to do, and you know, 72 00:03:15,347 --> 00:03:18,187 Speaker 2: it's it becomes a tough game and it wears on 73 00:03:18,227 --> 00:03:21,187 Speaker 2: your pretty well. So yeah, if you can, I think 74 00:03:21,227 --> 00:03:22,907 Speaker 2: I'm doing that better. You know, I'm not so hard 75 00:03:22,907 --> 00:03:27,027 Speaker 2: on myself. And I think the environment I'm in now 76 00:03:27,147 --> 00:03:29,427 Speaker 2: actually helps with that, you know, playing with the guys 77 00:03:29,467 --> 00:03:31,947 Speaker 2: and it's a little more relaxed. I mean, don't get 78 00:03:31,987 --> 00:03:35,307 Speaker 2: me wrong, it's competitive, but just just that environment is 79 00:03:35,787 --> 00:03:38,067 Speaker 2: huge and I'm enjoying it, you know. That's that's the 80 00:03:38,107 --> 00:03:39,867 Speaker 2: big thing, just just trying to enjoy it. 81 00:03:39,867 --> 00:03:43,547 Speaker 3: Can that realization and self awareness really only come with experience, though, Steve? 82 00:03:43,587 --> 00:03:46,067 Speaker 3: I mean, look, it's great advice, and I'm sure any 83 00:03:46,107 --> 00:03:48,307 Speaker 3: golfer of any age would love to be able to 84 00:03:48,347 --> 00:03:50,787 Speaker 3: not be that hard on themselves. But can that only 85 00:03:50,827 --> 00:03:52,947 Speaker 3: come through maturity if you like? 86 00:03:53,827 --> 00:03:55,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, a little bit. 87 00:03:55,107 --> 00:03:57,587 Speaker 2: But I think that the young guys coming out now, 88 00:03:58,427 --> 00:04:00,027 Speaker 2: I've got a lot more of that. I think they've 89 00:04:00,027 --> 00:04:03,027 Speaker 2: got they've got better of that. You look at the 90 00:04:03,067 --> 00:04:06,827 Speaker 2: young guys and and the world of golf, there's there's 91 00:04:06,867 --> 00:04:09,907 Speaker 2: a lot of really really good young players. I mean 92 00:04:09,907 --> 00:04:13,147 Speaker 2: that the talent is incredible, and it's got a lot closer. 93 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:15,747 Speaker 2: And I think guys are just getting better at that. 94 00:04:15,827 --> 00:04:18,547 Speaker 2: They're just they're trying to They're out there to win, 95 00:04:19,627 --> 00:04:21,347 Speaker 2: you know. I think when I got out there and 96 00:04:21,387 --> 00:04:23,907 Speaker 2: first started, I kind of felt like, gee, I need 97 00:04:23,907 --> 00:04:26,267 Speaker 2: a year or two to kind of gett get my 98 00:04:26,307 --> 00:04:29,627 Speaker 2: feet and felm away. But now the guys are just 99 00:04:29,627 --> 00:04:31,907 Speaker 2: coming out and they're ready. They're coming out of college 100 00:04:31,987 --> 00:04:35,147 Speaker 2: or they're they're they're getting some experience that we just 101 00:04:35,267 --> 00:04:37,667 Speaker 2: kind of never had and and they're ready to go. 102 00:04:37,907 --> 00:04:40,507 Speaker 2: And I think that that's a mental thing that's that's 103 00:04:40,627 --> 00:04:42,267 Speaker 2: changed a lot in the young guys for sure. 104 00:04:42,947 --> 00:04:46,427 Speaker 3: And so as you've gotten more experienced, have you focused 105 00:04:46,467 --> 00:04:49,507 Speaker 3: more now on the efficiency of your shots compared to say, 106 00:04:49,547 --> 00:04:50,387 Speaker 3: your club head speed. 107 00:04:51,747 --> 00:04:55,227 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. I kind of feel like the speed is 108 00:04:55,307 --> 00:04:57,147 Speaker 2: going to be what it is. You know, I've got 109 00:04:57,187 --> 00:04:59,867 Speaker 2: to a point where, hey, I'm not going to I'm 110 00:04:59,867 --> 00:05:02,987 Speaker 2: not going to get to Padrick Harrington's speed or you know, 111 00:05:03,307 --> 00:05:06,027 Speaker 2: a Scottish Chefflers speed, I'm not going to get there. 112 00:05:06,107 --> 00:05:09,907 Speaker 2: So mine's more about efficiency. You know, my iron play 113 00:05:10,027 --> 00:05:12,947 Speaker 2: is improved. That's the probably the biggest part of my 114 00:05:12,987 --> 00:05:16,587 Speaker 2: game has improved the last four or five years, which has. 115 00:05:16,547 --> 00:05:17,187 Speaker 4: Helped me score. 116 00:05:17,187 --> 00:05:19,107 Speaker 2: And then you know, a year and year out, my 117 00:05:19,187 --> 00:05:22,427 Speaker 2: short game seems to be there and getting better, and 118 00:05:22,427 --> 00:05:25,667 Speaker 2: my putting has been more consistent, and I drive it 119 00:05:25,707 --> 00:05:29,147 Speaker 2: straight anyway, So you know, all that kind of adds 120 00:05:29,227 --> 00:05:33,627 Speaker 2: up to pretty consistent, efficient stuff, and so I try 121 00:05:33,667 --> 00:05:35,547 Speaker 2: to be more that way. And that's that's why I 122 00:05:35,587 --> 00:05:37,907 Speaker 2: don't practice as much now. I kind of focus on 123 00:05:37,947 --> 00:05:40,987 Speaker 2: the same things and just try to keep doing what 124 00:05:41,027 --> 00:05:43,387 Speaker 2: I've been doing and just try and do it just 125 00:05:43,547 --> 00:05:44,307 Speaker 2: a little bit better. 126 00:05:44,347 --> 00:05:47,387 Speaker 3: You know, you're still looking supremely fit as well, annoyingly 127 00:05:47,467 --> 00:05:50,067 Speaker 3: for those of us in our fifties and our fifty steement. 128 00:05:51,907 --> 00:05:54,507 Speaker 3: But do you joking aside, do you have to work 129 00:05:54,507 --> 00:05:57,707 Speaker 3: on your fitness anymore now than perhaps earlier in your career? 130 00:05:58,507 --> 00:06:02,427 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think so, just to maintain things, you know, 131 00:06:02,667 --> 00:06:07,107 Speaker 2: to not have that bare belly and and just try 132 00:06:07,107 --> 00:06:09,547 Speaker 2: and stay in shape, get around the golf course and 133 00:06:09,587 --> 00:06:12,467 Speaker 2: actually feel good day to day. I think that's the 134 00:06:12,507 --> 00:06:15,187 Speaker 2: hardest thing. Like, you know, we only play three rounds now, 135 00:06:15,227 --> 00:06:17,227 Speaker 2: but we're still traveling and you know, in and out 136 00:06:17,227 --> 00:06:20,307 Speaker 2: of hotels and airports and we're still doing a full week. 137 00:06:21,587 --> 00:06:24,547 Speaker 2: So if you can stay fit, just just to do 138 00:06:24,667 --> 00:06:26,587 Speaker 2: that part of it and stay in shape and feel 139 00:06:26,627 --> 00:06:28,147 Speaker 2: good when you go to the golf course, that's the 140 00:06:28,187 --> 00:06:31,587 Speaker 2: main thing. But for me, it's all about you know, 141 00:06:31,707 --> 00:06:33,387 Speaker 2: I want to stay in shape. I want to I 142 00:06:33,387 --> 00:06:37,107 Speaker 2: want to feel strong and be strong and do stuff 143 00:06:37,147 --> 00:06:41,067 Speaker 2: with my kids. Now I'm getting older and that's important 144 00:06:41,107 --> 00:06:43,227 Speaker 2: to me. So yeah, that's a big part of what 145 00:06:43,267 --> 00:06:45,987 Speaker 2: I do. She probably probably even a bigger part now 146 00:06:46,427 --> 00:06:49,827 Speaker 2: than it used to be, and more important than practice. 147 00:06:49,867 --> 00:06:51,947 Speaker 3: You know, and you're playing. What about So I guess 148 00:06:51,987 --> 00:06:54,507 Speaker 3: what twenty one twenty two tournaments per year? Now, does 149 00:06:54,547 --> 00:06:56,347 Speaker 3: that feel about the right number for the next little 150 00:06:56,347 --> 00:06:56,747 Speaker 3: while for you? 151 00:06:57,427 --> 00:06:58,187 Speaker 4: Yeah? I think so. 152 00:06:58,547 --> 00:07:00,987 Speaker 2: You know, it's you know, as I said, I'm feeling 153 00:07:00,987 --> 00:07:03,867 Speaker 2: pretty good and fitness is okay, so I think that's 154 00:07:03,867 --> 00:07:04,467 Speaker 2: a good number. 155 00:07:04,467 --> 00:07:05,667 Speaker 4: I'm looking at the. 156 00:07:05,587 --> 00:07:08,467 Speaker 2: Schedule for next year and I you know, I keep 157 00:07:08,467 --> 00:07:10,627 Speaker 2: coming up with twenty one twenty two events, and I 158 00:07:11,147 --> 00:07:13,427 Speaker 2: feel like I'm nipping a few out here and there. 159 00:07:13,427 --> 00:07:17,227 Speaker 2: But you know, even when he's out and open, you know, 160 00:07:17,427 --> 00:07:20,907 Speaker 2: you have to travel down there and all those things 161 00:07:21,027 --> 00:07:23,387 Speaker 2: take their toll, so you know, My planning this year 162 00:07:23,427 --> 00:07:24,747 Speaker 2: is just to get down a little bit early and 163 00:07:24,787 --> 00:07:27,667 Speaker 2: play some play some golf and get get a little 164 00:07:27,707 --> 00:07:29,147 Speaker 2: bit more preparation for. 165 00:07:29,067 --> 00:07:31,747 Speaker 4: News in an open week and and then go from there. 166 00:07:31,787 --> 00:07:34,387 Speaker 3: All right, let's circle back there to finish Melbrook. Do 167 00:07:34,427 --> 00:07:35,147 Speaker 3: you like the course? 168 00:07:36,587 --> 00:07:40,147 Speaker 4: I do? You know you've got two different golf courses. 169 00:07:40,987 --> 00:07:43,787 Speaker 2: You know that the holes up in the hill and 170 00:07:43,947 --> 00:07:47,507 Speaker 2: the other course, which is I think is the stronger course. 171 00:07:48,387 --> 00:07:52,707 Speaker 2: I think that's where you've got to, you know, hold 172 00:07:52,747 --> 00:07:57,027 Speaker 2: your score and try and take opportunities. You know. The 173 00:07:57,067 --> 00:07:59,627 Speaker 2: other course on the flat, the old course, that's where 174 00:07:59,667 --> 00:08:02,707 Speaker 2: you can make some birdies and make a run on 175 00:08:02,707 --> 00:08:03,707 Speaker 2: on day one or day two. 176 00:08:03,867 --> 00:08:06,787 Speaker 4: So yeah, you know, I grew up playing. I played 177 00:08:06,787 --> 00:08:07,787 Speaker 4: a lot with Bob Charles. 178 00:08:08,347 --> 00:08:10,987 Speaker 2: John Griffin was the director of golf there for a 179 00:08:11,027 --> 00:08:12,907 Speaker 2: long time, and I spent a lot of time down 180 00:08:12,947 --> 00:08:17,667 Speaker 2: there seeing John and playing the golf courses and being 181 00:08:17,667 --> 00:08:19,787 Speaker 2: in the area. So for me, it's a special place 182 00:08:19,827 --> 00:08:22,227 Speaker 2: to go back to, you know, I know the golf 183 00:08:22,267 --> 00:08:25,907 Speaker 2: course the lower of the land, And yeah that helps 184 00:08:25,947 --> 00:08:27,547 Speaker 2: too come tournament time. 185 00:08:27,547 --> 00:08:29,427 Speaker 3: Now, stuck your coming home alone. I know a lot 186 00:08:29,467 --> 00:08:30,987 Speaker 3: of golf fans are looking forward to seeing you in 187 00:08:31,027 --> 00:08:33,227 Speaker 3: the flesh, Steve. All the best for the I guess 188 00:08:33,267 --> 00:08:35,307 Speaker 3: the Christmas Festive season. Look forward to seeing you down 189 00:08:35,307 --> 00:08:37,587 Speaker 3: here and early in twenty twenty five. Thanks so much 190 00:08:37,587 --> 00:08:38,867 Speaker 3: for taking our call this afternoon. 191 00:08:39,187 --> 00:08:40,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, thanks mate, looking forward to it. 192 00:08:41,387 --> 00:08:44,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 193 00:08:44,707 --> 00:08:47,987 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 194 00:08:48,027 --> 00:08:49,627 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.