The Official 'Double P' Blog

Below is an interview Double P did for The Armchair Golf Blog last week during his run at the AT&T National. Since then, PP pulled in a t-3rd finish, qualified for this year's British Open and headed out to Silvis, IL for this year's John Deere Classic.

Check out the interview below and email us your questions for a future Q&A!!


Armchair Golf: How are you holding up physically? Is the elbow or anything else giving you any problems?

Both elbows have been nagging me these past few weeks. Not sure how much longer I can go right now. The Cortizone shots are wearing off, so I'll go as long as they can let me. Obviously you don't want to keep getting injections as that will cause long term issues, so I'm doing all the therapy and strengthening I can. We'll see how it all plays out. Once the pain starts impacting my game, that'll pretty much make my decision for me.


Armchair Golf: What was it like playing in the U.S. Open at Oakmont?

Brutal. I was glad to be out there representing the U.S. as it's our country's Open - but all that stuff sort of goes on the back burner when you're out there going 76-78 and missing the cut. At that point it's simply a major and you always want to play on the weekend.


Armchair Golf: How do you feel about conditions at an event like this year's Open where the winner wraps up 72 holes five over par?

It is what it is. There's nothing u can do about it. Everyone is out playing in the same conditions. You know what you're getting into and what you signed up for. It's a major. Conditions are going to be insane. You just have to get out there, play your game and try not to make too many big mistakes that'll completely knock you out of contention.


Armchair Golf: You've been in the hunt recently with a fourth at the Crowne Plaza Invitational and being high on the leader board after three rounds at the Travelers Championship. Do you feel like you're close to breaking through or your first win?

I always think I am, but I'm not worrying about it. This is my sixth year on Tour and I'll get those questions a lot. Especially every time another first timer gets that initial win. I've learned not to sweat it . The wins will come. I'm just sticking to my game and I go into every week knowing I have as good of a chance to win as the other guys out there.

Get out there, give 110%, let chips fall where they may, etc. I'm tired of worrying about it. I'm not going to force it.


Armchair Golf: A little mid-season exam. Grade yourself and comment if you like on these areas of your game:

Driving - Great right now. I'm hitting everything long and straight. I didn't do anything differently last Sunday at the Travelers (final round 76), I was just hitting in the wrong places. More mental than mechanical.

Irons/Approach Shots - Trying to tighten up gap with approach shots. The Irons are fine. I like what I'm doing there.

Short Game/Putting - Pretty good. Putter has been helping out a lot lately. Lots of stuff is falling, which is always nice.

Course Management - Coming around. Pretty solid. I'm happy with my course management as of late.


Armchair Golf: Is there anything in particular you're working on?

Still working on shortening my swing and keeping it in play.




Armchair Golf: How's your short game? What are you working on?

Pretty good. We're working on speed and line of my putting.




Armchair Golf: How many more events will you play this year? What's your game plan?

Hopefully all four FedEx events and hopefully I get into the PGA. I'll play San Antonio but I’m skipping Vegas this year as it’s the week before the new Fry's tourney out at Grayhawk. I definitely want to be rested and ready for that event as it's in my backyard… literally. All in all I should play just shy of a dozen more events this year.


Armchair Golf: You play in a lot of ProAms. What general advice would you give to amateur golfers?

Have fun with it. If you're not doing it for a living or to earn a check, don't kill yourself out there. Some Wednesdays I’m out there playing with the suits and some of these guys are really trying to beat me. It can be pretty funny at times. But seriously, people just need to get out there and enjoy the experience of playing on a tournament-ready course and playing with Tour pros. Don't worry about your score. Enjoy the day.


Armchair Golf: What have you been doing lately to let off steam when you're off the course?

Working out and trying to get healthy. When I'm on the road, it's a routine. There's no real blowing off of steam. Practice. Play. Workout. Rest. Grab dinner. Maybe catch a ball game if I'm in a town where some of my MLB buds live.

It's hotter than hell in Scottsdale right now so when I'm home I spend most of my time out on the lake, on the boat or at the pool. Headed to San Diego in two weeks for Opening Day at Del Mar Race Track and to see some buds back home. The Phillies are playing the Padres when I'm there, so I'll definitely catch up with (Pat) Burrell since he'll be around for a few days. Obviously I'm rooting for my Padres, though.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The interview was conducted before the t-3rd finish which earned Perez a trip to this year's British Open, which takes the place the week he planned on coming to San Diego.)


Armchair Golf: You're a Tour player who proudly talks about the bands you're into and quotes your favorite movies. Any new DVDs in the collection? What's in the current rotation on the iPod?

I need to get the iPod reloaded when I get home. While on the road, I just raid Best Buy weekly and check out whatever's new. Green Day did a great cover of a John Lennon tune. The new Maroon 5 cut is hot. Velvet Revolver just put out a new CD a few days back that I need to pick up. The new Marilyn Manson was released a few weeks ago and my buds the Pat McGee Band just put out their new CD.

When I don't have the iPod fresh and I'm rolling a courtesy car with free XM Radio it’s all about 'Dance Nation' on channel 81. That station is absolute fire.


Armchair Golf: Last but never least, we see you've started selling your new Double P Boxing Glove Hybrid Cover on your site. How’s that going for you?

Pretty cool. I'm still shocked how people have really taken to that and the driver cover. Every practice round, ProAm or tourney, at least a dozen people ask about them every week. It's a trip. I have my caddy telling everyone to head over to PatPerezGolf.com to scoop some up and people are doing just that. It's pretty cool.