New Game, New Thinking: Aaron Watkins 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 Aaron Watkins.

The best way to explain Aaron Watkins' game, according to Aaron Watkins, is by one name -- Fred Funk. Translation: Aaron is short on the long game and long on the short game. Of course, if this rookie from Mesa, Ariz., can log eight TOUR wins and carry himself with the same class as Funk, it'll be a very successful career. But first things first, Watkins must first pass the rookie litmus test and sit down with PGATOUR.COM for a grill session.

PGATOUR.COM: When PGA TOUR fans see your game, it seems safe to say that they won't mistake you for John Daly or John Rollins.

WATKINS: That's for sure. I'm often compared to Fred Funk because I'm not a long hitter off the tee. If fans come out to see the long ball, I'm not their guy. But I'm very consistent, hit a ton of fairways and can get my short game going.

PGATOUR.COM: As you enter your first season on the PGA TOUR, have you wrapped your head around the fact that you've finally made it?

WATKINS: At this point, I'm just ready to play some golf. I didn't make the field at the Sony [Open], [Bob] Hope [Classic] or in Phoenix so it'll be a little while before I jump into the deep water. But I'll be ready to go, and I'm sure a little nervous. The Nationwide Tour gets you prepared to play at a high level, so I'm just ready to go.

PGATOUR.COM: I guess the one field you're guaranteed to play in every week when you're home is the foursome with your dad's cronies.

WATKINS: Definitely. We don't get to play as much as we used to, but I'll try to get in their game every Saturday. He's retired now, and he'd play every day if he could.

PGATOUR.COM: So, do you square off with the old man or do you and he team up and scoreboard his buddies?

WATKINS: We usually play on the same team and, yes, we do pretty well. But we always have a game going between the two of us. He makes me give him at least eight strokes and even when I win, he somehow manipulates the scorecard afterward, and he ends up coming out on top.

PGATOUR.COM: As the father of a four-year-old, I'm already tugging on his shirt from behind so I can win races. I just can't let the little guy get the best of me just yet.

WATKINS: That's my dad, too. No question about it.

PGATOUR.COM: How influential was your dad in your golf career?

WATKINS: He definitely will let me know when I do something wrong, but he's never pushed me too hard to play professionally. He really helps me if I'm getting down on myself. That's his biggest and most important influence.

PGATOUR.COM: You stand 5-8 and 170 pounds (nearly a Fred Funk clone, by the way) so how will golf fans know you're coming down the fairway?

WATKINS: Well, that'll be easy. I'm wearing the same type of pants this year as Eric Axley. I've got some really funky pink, purple and even black and white checkered pants. Fans will see me coming from a mile away.

PGATOUR.COM: You'll be like a hot rod with fire painted on the hood. You'd better be able to back it up.

WATKINS: We'll soon see.

PGATOUR.COM: We know from past interviews that golfers tend to enjoy spending most of their spare time hitting range balls. Surely, you've got other interests in addition to that pastime.

WATKINS: I'm actually pretty lazy when it comes to down time. I'm a huge movie buff. I love to crash on the couch with my girlfriend and watch the latest rentals from Blockbuster.

PGATOUR.COM: Wow, you're a party animal. Please don't tell me you're into romantic comedies.

WATKINS: If I can help it, I stay away from romantic comedies. But some time I have to give in to the girlfriend, and we end up watching one of those. I usually make it 30 minutes before nodding off.

PGATOUR.COM: What's the mark of a good movie?

WATKINS: I love action movies and freaky movies like Hostel and the Saw movies. The girlfriend will see the previews of stuff like that and tell me we'll be steering clear.

PGATOUR.COM: Have you always been the laid back sort or did you used to be John McEnroe who transformed himself?

WATKINS: In high school, I was a hothead for sure. But that attitude just isn't constructive. After I lost my status on the Nationwide Tour, I hit a point where it was counterproductive to go crazy after every bad round. Now, I just take the good with the bad and keep it all in perspective.

PGATOUR.COM: Sounds like a good plan for any rookie who's about to experience places like Pebble Beach and Torrey Pines in tournament conditions.

WATKINS: In any conditions, it'll be my first time at Pebble, so that will be great. In fact, I haven't played most of the course on the TOUR, so this will be a big-time learning curve. The good news is that I've got friends who've played these courses. I'll need to play some practice rounds with those guys so I can soak up their experiences.

PGATOUR.COM: What type of course seems to fit your game?

WATKINS: The types in which low scores aren't easy to come by. I do best at the toughest courses. The courses that give up really low scores are a bit tougher for my game.

PGATOUR.COM: Sounds like we should watch for you at the U.S. Open. Other than winning the Open and maybe a couple of dozen other tournaments this year, what are your first-year goals?

WATKINS: I hear a lot of guys answer that question by saying they want to finish in the top 125, which of course makes sense for them to keep their card for another year. I'm planning on shooting for a higher mark. At the player orientation, they mentioned what making it to Atlanta means to all TOUR members. That's my main goal, to play well enough to get into the [final playoff event for the] FedExCup. My lowest goal would be a top-125 finish.