Transcript of Web Chat on PGATour.com
23 May 2001

Sweden's Per-Ulrik Johansson, fresh off a tie for 11th at the MasterCard Colonial, joins PGATOUR.COM for an on-line chat on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.

The 34-year-old Johansson is a rookie on the PGA TOUR in 2001. But he is by no means inexperienced after winning five times on the European Tour and playing on the European Ryder Cup team in 1995 and '97. Johansson also represented Sweden on five Dunhill Cup and three World Cup teams.

Johansson, who writes a diary for PGATOUR.COM, attended Arizona State University and played on the same team as Phil Mickelson. He gained his PGA TOUR playing privileges by tying for 31st at the qualifying school last December and started his campaign on a high note with a tie for 17th at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Per-Ulrik Johansson: Hello! Nice to talk to everyone. I am here at the Kemper (Insurance) Open near Washington, D.C. The weather was beautiful today but the forecast is not good. I had my eyes done on LASIK by Dr. Whitten yesterday and today was the first time in a long while I have played without contacts or glasses!

Question: There are quite a few notable Swedish golfers. Is it the water? The food? What's the secret?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: It is a tough question! We have quite a unique federation that recognizes golfers early in their careers, locally. It gives us a chance to compete nationally. Also sending us abroad in the winter to camps. They set us up with golf coaches and get us inspired. Sweden is unique as a small country. We have a good hockey team but overall we are better at individual sports. Annika Sorentsam and Jesper (Parnevik) have also inspired people to be better at the sport. More and more you see people trying to go to college in America to play golf and study for four years. We have nothing like that in Europe, to continue with your sport and get your degree. It is really fantastic.

Question: How do you feel living in USA instead of Europe?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: I do live in Spain. That is where my residence is. I do like it here a lot though. There are things I will miss in Europe but things I like here better. The practice facilities on the PGA TOUR and the courses are better. Things are a little easier here as far as shops being open later, movies playing all day, you can eat all you want from health food to junk food. There are great choices in America. I like to go over to Sweden a few months a year. Even if I were playing here full time, I would still do that to see my friends and family and eat some Swedish food.

Question: Will you be competing in Europe this year, if so, what events?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: I haven't decided yet. I am hoping to compete in Loch Lomond, the week before the British Open and then the British Open. Then I will go to Sweden for two weddings and follow that with the European Masters. My main focus this year is to keep my card in America and come back next year to play.

Question: Do you feel like things are going about as you expected so far this year? Your finish at the (MasterCard) Colonial seems to indicate that you're ready to step up and make a serious run at a win...

Per-Ulrik Johansson: Thanks for that! If you don't count the (MasterCard) Colonial, I am disappointed in how I performed. But the (MasterCard) Colonial was the first time I was in contention. My long game and putting are coming along. I am excited to be in contention more and more. When you tee it up, to give yourself a chance to win -- that feeling -- is something I have been missing. I played pretty solid in the last round of the (MasterCard) Colonial but hopefully I can do better next time in similar circumstances. It has been tough to adapt to the PGA TOUR. New places, course, knowing where to stay. I feel like a rookie at 34! Sometimes you play several courses in a week. Two or three for a tournament! That is tough to get used to. But for the most part, it is one course a week from here out.

Question: What is the biggest difference between the PGA TOUR and the Euro Tour?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: So far, I would say that, on the PGA TOUR, you have to play a bit more conservatively hitting that shot into the green. They tend to tuck the pins away more here. You have to aim for the center and hit 15-20-30 footers. In Europe, the greens are softer and the placement not as tough. You can attack the greens more. And when you go over, you are not penalized as much as here. Otherwise, it is the same. You still have the players and the courses to deal with. There are more spectators here. We have some in Southern Europe but there seems to be huge amounts for every tournament in the U.S. It is fun to see.

Question: Hey Per! I'm 15 and play off a handicap of 5, I really want to make it on TOUR. What do you think I should be working on the most? thanx

Per-Ulrik Johansson: A 5-handicap at 15 is very good. The good news is that you don't have to bloom at 18 or 19. Your game could be its best at 35! You have plenty of time. Work on the short game. Even if you're long game is not as good, you can beat people with a good short game. Emphasize your chipping and bunker play. Enjoy it too. Go to a good college. Get that down to a 1- or 0-handicap and get a scholarship if you can. And make sure you get a good education, just in case! It is always nice to have something to fall back on. When you are 15, it is tough to focus on one sport. I did many myself. Hockey, track and field, football. Then when I was 18, I had just golf and hockey. Then at 19, I quit hockey. But make sure you have fun while you work at it!

Question: I love reading your diaries on PGATOUR.COM. How often will you be writing them this year?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: I write my own diary on my site www.p-uj.com, also. You can always go there and see my diary all the time. Some weeks it is up on PGATOUR.COM, and other weeks it is not. So you can read it every day at my site. Some days, I write more and some days less. It depends on how much time I have.

Question: When did you start golfing and who has been your biggest influence?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: I started when I was 8. I went out with my Dad. The first player to influence me the most is Bernhard Langer. Ben Hogan has always been my idol. I have read everything about him. David Leadbetter has helped me a lot, also. And everyone else too! Also having friends and peers to play against helps. When I was in college, Phil Mickelson was No. 1 on the team, and I was below him. That helped me. Having people around you who are the same or slightly better has helped me a lot.

Question: If you could pick one week that would go exactly the way you planned it, what week would you like that to be and what would happen?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: I would like it to be either the U.S. Open or British Open. If things went my way, I would win that by many strokes!

Question: I see you tee off tomorrow at the Kemper Insurance Open at 1:48 p.m., the last group of the day. Is that an advantage to be last off to see what the field is doing or would you rather be first off?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: If I had a choice, I would rather be first off. You seem to have better greens then. It has been raining a lot here and the greens are soft. There would be less footprints then. But if you played first on the first day, you would not be first the next. You would be first in the afternoon maybe. That is what happens being a rookie on the TOUR. I get a lot of the later times. But I can handle it!

Question: What kind of things do you do to keep yourself relaxed out on the course?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: It is difficult to relax on the course. I used to walk fast but now, no matter if I have a birdie or bogey, I keep a slower pace. Seve (Ballesteros) told me this at Valderrama. He saw I was almost running to the ball. He told me to keep a slower and same pace and rhythm. Also take a deep breath at times. Talk to the crowds, too. All the people are out there watching you, so enjoy it. Those are some things I do when I get too tense. Also talking to your caddie is good. Talking, telling jokes, anything really.

Question: When you are not playing in a tournament, what do you get up to?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: I am totally into fitness for the last year. Going to the gym, working the body with the machines. Also doing cardio. I enjoy my friends, playing tennis and golf. I enjoy my own cooking because on a TOUR, you get tired of restaurant food. Having friend over for a meal and bottle of wine is something I enjoy. And of course spending time with my fiancee, Jill. When I have time off, we go to the gym together since she is into fitness, too. We go to the beach and shopping. I like movies too. And reading books.

Question: Are you basically giving up a chance to make the European side in the Ryder Cup by playing on the PGA TOUR? Do you think that there should be some way that you could play your way onto the team no matter where you're playing?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: It seems like I am. By not playing in Europe, I fall down deeper on the list. If I do play in Europe, in the three I mentioned earlier, I have a chance. I don't think I will be picked. We only have two picks in our team. It is going to be tough to make it. I would love to play the Ryder Cup, but I came to America for one reason only -- to play for a few years and see what I do. If I have to give it up this year, I will, but I have not given up the thought of being on the team. We have a Ryder Cup committee in Europe that decides how many players should be from the money list, etc. They decided the Top 10 on the European Tour and two picks. Since there are Europeans playing in America, it could be some years we don't have the best team. On the other hand, we have been close the last 12 years! So it shows we have a good team. But I would like to see more picks because we might get into the position where we have to leave some great players out.

Question: What clubs do you have in your bag now?

Per-Ulrik Johansson: I have Callaway clubs. The X-14, Pro Series. The driver is Callaway, same with the 5- and 3-woods. I have an Odyssey putter and Titleist Sand Wedges (60 and 40 degree) and I play the Blue Callaway ball which is fantastic.

Question: What ELSE is in your bag? :-)

Per-Ulrik Johansson: I have some coins to mark my ball with. Lucky coins. Whatever one I grab is the one I use because I feel it is meant to be. Sun Lotion. I use spray now because the other kind gets your hands and grips greasy. I spray my neck because I get burned there. I have the Ledbetter strap. A strap for on the driving range to keep you connected. You hook your arms on it and it helps my swing. I have a yardage laser to check the yardage in practice. And a lot of junk! Tees, pencils, etc. When you clean it out, you are surprised. Old Granola bar wrappers ... even old granola bars! And always a bottle of water to keep filling up!

Per-Ulrik Johansson: Thank you for your questions. I have enjoyed it! Hopefully, you were satisfied with my answers. If you want to know more, check my site at www.p-uj.com. My diary, my sponsors and everything about the TOUR. Hopefully, we can do this again. Goodnight!

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