Pat Hurst - Part 2 (Winning the 1998 Dinah Shore)

Music playing  00:00

Mike Gonzalez  00:15

So, honorary member at LaQuinta. Nice to always come back to fine memories as you thought about as you related turning pro and so forth. So now it's time to come out on the big tour. Or as Bruce said earlier, you had six LPGA Tour victories, we want to talk about all of those. So you already said you come right out of the box firing because in 1965 the LPGA rookie of the year 

Hurst, Pat  00:42

95 yeah 95.

Mike Gonzalez  00:44

What did I say? 

Hurst, Pat  00:45

Come on. Yes. 65. That's before I was born.

Mike Gonzalez  00:50

I was gonna say this earlier. With you born at the end of the decade. You missed a great decade, by the way. 

Devlin, Bruce  00:57

The 60s.

Hurst, Pat  00:58

Yeah. I've enjoyed my time. So I can't complain.

Mike Gonzalez  01:06

Well, and, and you played during part of the golden age of the LPGA Tour, in my opinion, as we talk about the players that you had a chance to play with and against.  Right, exactly, yes.  So 1995, ou must have had several good finishes that year that sort of merited the Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year award. Right.

Hurst, Pat  01:27

Yeah, you know, I started out, right, right out of the hopper. Top 10 I can remember seventh or eighth. My first event and I thought I was the richest woman in the world, and I was just off. And, you know, it was I was lucky enough to have Jeff came my again, my husband came out in when I decided to go to cue school, he's like, you know, I'll go with you if you want me to, and and, again, with my, my health that no one really knew about he, he made me feel comfortable. And so to have him out there. So he can't infer me from my first two years, which was a blessing to me and to my golf, right to have someone that that is that close to you and knows what you're going through. And when I was you know, would have some way as you recall it episodes, he knew, right. And I didn't really tell many people and so it was good to have him there. And I tell you what, I wouldn't take back any of my years on tour, I wouldn't take back any of my golfing years, whether it was from junior golf holiday to professional golf, because I every time you know, no matter where I was at what I did, we made the most of it. So it was it was a it's it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed I played like some very right off the bat I played well and never even to this day don't know how much I made. I just went out and I was playing because I love the game and I love to complete and again, I don't know how much I mean but that's that's okay, you know as as long as I I went out there to try and win every every event and and I loved it. I just loved the competition and as time went on, I loved being in that atmosphere being with it was like a family out there and I love that part too.

Devlin, Bruce  03:27

So big, big question for me. So 95 and 96 Jeff caddied for you.

Hurst, Pat  03:37

Right yeah.

Devlin, Bruce  03:38

No victories

Hurst, Pat  03:39

In 1997, so three years, he caddied three years

Devlin, Bruce  03:42

So then the question was already answered. I was going to say, if he caddied for you for two years and then you come out and 1997 and you go bang, win the Oldsmobile Classic and I was gonna know he was a husband.

Hurst, Pat  03:56

No, he was on my bag. Good. I I could never have won it without him. I mean, I remember as Mike you were talking about that certain things will trigger you know, trigger. I remember we were on the I think it was only it could have been a 54 hole event I can't remember but on Saturday on number 11. It's just a short hole. I mean it you just think it out there you know 200 yards and then you have a little wedge in and sure enough, you know, I make double on Saturday and just so mad, you know, I'm just pissed. I was not mad. I was pissed. And I sent him a you know, kept playing Jeff is very positive guy and kept playing. Sure enough what I do on Sunday playing, I double 11 and there is steam coming out of head. It's just a little hole. Like I said, You dink it and you dink it and you make birdie and you go and I'm making double. So he, I hand it to him. He kept me in the ballgame. He you know, there's a lot of holes left, you're still in it, honey don't give up and was just complete the positiveness that came from him. I couldn't have won it without that. Right. I could have...

Devlin, Bruce  05:24

You beat a pretty good player too.

Hurst, Pat  05:26

I did. Yeah. She doesn't remember that. I think she wants to forget that.

Devlin, Bruce  05:33

And that was the first time you beat her. So she that's why she's got a bad memory because she did it later, didn't you?

Hurst, Pat  05:40

She's all about winning.

Mike Gonzalez  05:41

We're talking about San Jose State alum. Juli Inkster? This is the 1997 Oldsmobile Classic at Walnut Hills Country Club in Michigan. And so first time in the winner's circle, what did that feel like?

Hurst, Pat  05:57

Oh, my goodness, making the putt on 18. I mean, I was 20 feet away 15-20 feet, I don't know how how far but you know, I, when I stroked it, and the ball went in, I felt like I jumped up all the way to you know, jumped up to the moon. And I think I jumped up about

Mike Gonzalez  06:20

Six inch vertical leap.  Right. But I mean, the feelings, you know, with Jeff on the bag as your first win. And it was just, you know, I had housing that weekend and the family that I was with, they were great, you know, stayed with them. After that, you know, I mean, it was just it was your things that the feelings that you get, you'll never forget, and you just want to keep repeating. And that's what keeps you coming back. You know, you can't it's hard to explain the feelings that you have. Because unless you felt them. People don't understand what you know what it really is. And it's it's the greatest feeling in the world. Yeah, you know, we've talked many times with our guests about winning and what that's all like, the only problem that everybody says is your right back on the road the next day to the next tournament. You don't have much time to celebrate do you?

Hurst, Pat  07:16

No, you don't. But but that's what you want to do it again, though. 

Devlin, Bruce  07:20

Yeah. 

Hurst, Pat  07:21

And you feel like you want to keep playing because you feel like you're on a roll. And it's just it's Oh, my goodness, it's so much fun. But you know, did you too when I had a lot of first in to have my first one with my husband on the bag was was was just awesome. And and again, I couldn't have done it. I I fully believing this. And I couldn't have done it if he wasn't on the bag, pushing me after that damn double again, two days in a row. Right. And Could someone else kind of pushed me that way? I don't know. All I know is that he was there. And he was the one that pushed me. Right and believe. And he believed in me. And made me believe in myself. Yeah.

Mike Gonzalez  08:03

Rounds of 68, 70, 71, 70. So nine under, should have been 13 under I guess right.

Hurst, Pat  08:11

Right. Yeah. Damn hole.

Mike Gonzalez  08:13

With a five shot victory. You would have really enjoyed that walk down 18.

Hurst, Pat  08:17

Right. Well, then, but then I wouldn't get that jump.

Mike Gonzalez  08:21

Well, that's right. So right, we wouldn't see the leap. 

Hurst, Pat  08:24

Right. 

Mike Gonzalez  08:25

So I want to take you back. We've talked about the first win. But you know, you talked about being a homebody. So let's go back to 1995 that first year on tour, you don't know the courses? You don't know, the hotels, you don't know the restaurants? What was that Like?

Hurst, Pat  08:43

Yeah, again, you know, I had Jeff out there with me. And that was again, a blessing because he's very personable. He's very easy to get along with. He's, you know, I feel like, I feel like I'm that way. So we kind of just when we would play in practice rounds, you know, I, I can't remember playing in many programs, probably back then. You know, when you first start out, I think you don't play him any practice rounds. But I remember just talking and even to this day, I just love the caddies, and I remember him and I Jeff and I would both talk to to several different caddies. Hey, where do you fly into for this event? Where do you stay? You know, in where do you eat? Where do you you know, what are good places to eat? What are the local places we like the local places we like to you know, and and that has that carried on throughout my whole career where caddies meant everything to me, right. And they, they were no matter whether it was my rookie season or when I was the captain of the Solheim Cup team. They were my go to, you know and have have been and will always be in there. Ain't hold a special place in my heart because they were. They don't sugarcoat anything. And they'll tell you exactly how they feel. And that's what I want. That's all I want. And it's in, you know, so I would both of us would ask, you know, the, the caddies, everything, you know, whether it's about the Golf Course, you know, what are things that the book is missing? Or what are things that are in the book that aren't, aren't right, or what should we put in the book? You know, and I don't know, I don't know how we, we became close to a lot of the caddies, but we did and that was, you know, I can't stress to the, the players coming up right now. To, to ask questions, and ask the different people questions, ask the caddies ask, you got to ask the players and not be afraid. Right. And, and I think, I think taking off that year, and coming back and feeling like, I always felt like I belonged. Because of the of my, of my record. I was never really intimidated. I, you know, there were certain girls out there where I would say, you know, just love being around them. You know, like, I always looked up to, to like a Nancy Lopez, right. Just, how can you not, I mean, but, you know, I there was just certain players, you know, just loved and loved. Beth Daniel. And, you know, in, you know, if you ask, I' m sure if you asked her, but if you asked a lot of people, she wouldn't be an easy one to talk to. By any means. Now, she's super easy, but back then, you know, when when people were competing, you know, it was it was tough, but I just never had. Um, I can be quiet and I can observe quite a bit. But if I, if I want to know I ask, and that was the biggest thing. I think both Jeff and I did was we would ask questions.

Mike Gonzalez  12:04

So Bruce, we always ask about validating that first victory. But how many do it with a major?

Devlin, Bruce  12:11

Not too many. That didn't take very long either. Jumped right out in 1998 and win the Nabisco Dinah Shore at Mission Hills. 68, 72 ,70, 71.

Hurst, Pat  12:26

I, that was that was a lot of fun. It was right. Yeah, right. From the get go. I think it was, you know, came out hot, and just kept it that way where I think I led from start to finish. And it's a it's a term, that's a lot of fun for me, because again, you know, being in La Quinta. Not only did I have a lot of friends there, but my family and friends from the Bay Area would make their way. Yes. And so we would go to dinner, you know, I'd make reservations for 15 to 20. Starting from Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And you know, all of a sudden, the first day I'm leading, you know, on Thursday, and we go to dinner, and my big thing was, we're not talking golf, there's zero golf talk, you know, haven't seen you guys for how long. We're just gonna get back to you know, this, this family and friends, and we're not talking golf. So we didn't talk off the whole, you know, Thursday, Friday or Saturday, and then sure enough, went on, you know, sealed the deal on on Sunday. And Bruce, I told you, you know, the couple Bruce and Gabe the couple that were really behind me my golf. He was a member at LaQuinta. And sure enough, had a part, you know, you say you don't get to celebrate, but that night, we went to LaQuinta. And I don't know how, you know how many people were there. But we celebrated, you know, how my caddy there. had other caddies, there had some players there, and we got to celebrate. So that was a lot of fun.

Devlin, Bruce  14:04

And you actually you celebrated in another way that year?

Hurst, Pat  14:10

Oh, getting pregnant.

Devlin, Bruce  14:17

Right. 

Hurst, Pat  14:18

What's that? 

Devlin, Bruce  14:19

I say uou were getting ready for that firstborn?

Hurst, Pat  14:21

I was. Yes.

Devlin, Bruce  14:24

That had to be, you know, you win a major and then you waiting for the the birth of your first child that that must have been a very interesting part of the balance of that year because Dinah Shore was early, you know, it's early in the year.

Hurst, Pat  14:40

Yeah. And I had Jackson the next year. Let's see, I had Jackson in the next year. Right. I had him in 1999. But 1998 You know, it was my first, I missed Solheim in 1996. And that was kind of disappointing. You know, I thought that I had a chance in 1996 i had finished, It was Judy as the captain and finished like fourth, a second, second, fourth before the picks and didn't get a phone call, you know and now knowing what I know with Solheim, back then they don't pick, you have to earn your way the first time, you know, and it's changed now. But you have to earn your way. And so it was disappointing. Never said anything to you know too many people. So in 1998 when I won Dinah, you know, Judy was really close with Bob Rosberg. And you know, they were both in the booth. And Rosberg was also a member at LaQuinta so I'd go play with golf with him every now and then at home. And, and I think I had a little special place in his heart because he was he was one of my backers when I first made it out on tour. And so I think I had a little place in his heart. And next, you know, we win. And I remember Judy, calling me up and saying, you know, congratulating me and saying pretty much it. I think it didn't matter what I did the rest of the year, I think I felt like I was going to be on the team. And so that was something that, you know you, you strive for, right? And also when you do it, and it just it was the best. It was, for me the best Solheim Cup that I competed in.

Mike Gonzalez  16:38

And we're gonna come back to your Solheim Cup career. But I want to finish up on this Dinah Shore win because you also had to make a putt at the last to win. So yeah, did you improve your jumping ability at all, or

Hurst, Pat  16:52

I don't remember the jump this time. I remember on 17 hitting it on in two. Greens were firm and greens were fast and rough was thick that year, really thick. And I remember on 17 hitting it on hitting the green and it rolling over up against the collar. And again, my husband now is the Ping rep on tour. He'd come out and followed a little bit early in the week. And we just don't get to play in conditions like what that year was like at Dinah and you know, he's like, maybe you know, if you ever get up against a collar, maybe think about blading a sand wedge and I'm like, okay, so we practice a little bit and, sure enough, come 17, what happens? I hit it up against the collar and now I have to blade it, something that we don't do and made par. Get to 18, dead into the wind and it was blowing pretty good. Dead into the wind. And you hit driver you you lay up on your second. Yeah, it's you know, we played it back. Now they play it up, which is kind of fun. Because but yeah, but back then we played it back and you kind of stayed short of the the little the water that comes out in I don't know he probably had threw it up there when I have a wedge into the wind. And I hit it and the damn thing you know, hits on the grain and sucks back up against the collar again.sand wedge And sure enough, I played it and I hit I think I hit it by and had to make you know how to make that putt. But it was again the feeling is just there's nothing like it you know when that ball goes in? Yeah.

Devlin, Bruce  18:56

Two bladed sand wedges in the last two holes. How about that?

Hurst, Pat  19:00

Yeah. And it's something that we don't normally do but and thank God again thank God Jeff was out there, you know, him and I kind of fooling around with different shots. Right because it's just something that you don't I mean that rough was brutal that year. And so it was it was an it you know, I have to say that year I didn't have that year at Dinah I didn't have a three putt.

Mike Gonzalez  19:23

Wow that's pretty impressive

Devlin, Bruce  19:24

Yeah, that's pretty good.

Hurst, Pat  19:25

Yeah. So knock on wood you know and lead from start to finish and you know, so had to come down to my short game, which is not normally normally it was my length, but there it was my short game.

Mike Gonzalez  19:38

Before we we talk about your reluctant plunge into the filth of Poppie's pond. A little side story on bladed wedges. Bruce, remember this? We're talking to John Mahaffey. And he relates a tournament where he walks off the 18th green goes to the scorers tent. He had missed an opportunity to win because he had that against the collar shot and he tried to play with a putter and didn't succeed. So he comes out of the score hut and who's standing waiting for him, Lee Trevino, this will tell you a little bit about what Trevino was like, and Bruce can attest to this. He grabs Mahaffey says, I can't believe you don't know how to play that shot. Come over here. He grabs three balls and a wedge, and they go over the putting greens, he's just finished playing the tournament, and teaches him that shot.

Hurst, Pat  20:25

Yeah. Yeah, that's awesome.

Mike Gonzalez  20:28

So good that you knew it.

Hurst, Pat  20:29

I mean, cuz, yeah. And you know what, we just you're not in that situation too often. I mean, how many golf courses do you go to that they're going to have the rough up like that? Yeah.

Mike Gonzalez  20:41

So you were on record some time prior to that Sunday, saying that you weren't going to go into Poppie's pond?

Hurst, Pat  20:48

Yeah, there's a big reason that Poppies pond looked like death to me. 

Mike Gonzalez  20:53

And back then it was I mean, it was it was.

Hurst, Pat  20:58

Yeah, and you can't see the bottom. And when you don't know how to swim. I think it goes way down. There's no bottom. And so I you know, they everyone was yelling to go and I'm like, no. So finally, I put my foot in and the CEO of I think Nabisco, maybe he was holding my hand. And I just put my foot in and came back out. And that was it. I and I did it. But I have to say I redeemed myself. Cindy Kou, she plays for USC right now. When they had when the tournament was still at Mission Hills up until what couple years ago, at last year or two years ago. They they would have a junior event, Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the week of of the Chevron. Yes. And the seniors would go out and play with with these juniors on Sunday. So one when senior to two juniors. And sure enough, Cindy wins. I get paired with Cindy and Yuka Saso. And Cindy wins. So what do I have to do I have to jump in this damn water. And I did. It's filtered, I can see the bottom and they were telling me that it's only going to come up chest high. And she held my hand. And so we made that ceremonial jump together. And, you know, I think for her for when and on top of that she gets to play in the event. Yeah, yeah. Right the next step next week, so it was really cool. But so we both made that leap into Poppie's pond. And so I did it. It may have been a couple years late, but I did it.

Mike Gonzalez  22:54

So, I think you're the ninth or 10th winner of the of the Dianh Shore we've talked to and I guess the thing that you know, this was a big event for you guys. This was your Masters.

Hurst, Pat  23:07

Yes, yes. I mean, and I'm sad to see that it has left Mission Hills. I get it. But it was like our Masters, it was. It was an invitational only very hard to get into. I mean, I had people you know, me working on LaQuinta I had people pulling, trying to pull strings for me to to get in as a sponsors invite and they just know, you know, they it's there's a certain criteria, that's the way you're gonna get in and nobody extra is gonna get in. And I hope it stays that way. I hope that they you know, it's still as prestigious as it was for us to these women now.

Mike Gonzalez  23:50

Now you're up at another level your major championship winner. How did life change?

Hurst, Pat  23:58

Oh, again you know, I just was out playing. I'd say, you know, I have that behind me. I, I know I can play. You know, the first one you're playing in it and it happens. This one I felt like like said I, I started out, you know, the first round playing really well and didn't start from there. So it kind of made me deep down feel like I belong out there on tour. And so everything that that came after that. I felt like it was like it was it was that prepared me for it.

Mike Gonzalez  24:35

I mean with with several additional years of perspective now. Looking back on that first major win I mean, as you mentioned you're 29, Footloose, fancy, free, you know you're young, you're enjoying it, but now with a little bit of, in the rearview mirror, a little bit of perspective. How do you look back on it now?

Hurst, Pat  24:58

Yeah, you know, I Now, I'm worked for Titleist. I'm working with all these amateur golfers right now and and the girls Junior stuff. And and looking back at, you know, that was, I mean, I didn't realize all the stuff that had done until I, you know, picked up not picked up this job. It's to like start working around the juniors and working around these amateurs and, like, okay. Yeah, yeah, I did this. Yeah, I did that. Yeah. You know, in going to these different events, it's just like I said, you know, it solidified to myself that I can play. And it's just it was. And looking back, I think you appreciate it more. The older you get. And the more you look back, you're like, oh, yeah, I did that. Yeah, I did that. And so I think as, as the older I get, the more I really, really appreciate it. At the time, you're in the moment and you're playing, and you just want to keep going.

Mike Gonzalez  26:03

And the thing you didn't know at the time that got you a ticket to come on with Bruce and Mike on FORE the Good of the Game.

Hurst, Pat  26:10

Damn right. Here I am.  

Mike Gonzalez  26:13

Here you are. Great. Well, so major winner and, and Bruce always asked this, because we skip a couple, we skipp a year and go to 2000 for your next win. But before we talk about it, he'll always ask, what happened? In those two years? What was going on? And as you and I maybe talked about yesterday, life was going on.

Hurst, Pat  26:37

Right, I was practicing. And then,

Devlin, Bruce  26:41

Plus your head, you know, a little boy arrived and extra things you have to do? Like you said, life goes on.

Hurst, Pat  26:50

Yeah. And that was probably that I have to say having the kids were probably the best thing that has ever happened. Right? It kind of grounds you and makes you grow up. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. But it may makes you grow, grow up real fast.

Mike Gonzalez  27:07

A big responsibility. 

Hurst, Pat  27:08

Yeah, but you know, I was lucky, where, you know, my husband was the Ping tour rep out on tour. So he was out there doing his job Monday through Wednesday. I was out there in the same city, doing my job from Monday to Sunday. And we had daycare, you know, Smuckers sponsored our daycare on tour. I could never have done it without that. You know, even in the offseason, you know, we would hire one of the daycare girls to come in and watch the kids when we're at home. So it was just again, it was the whole family atmosphere. Right. I the kids didn't know any better. They traveled. Shoot, they were traveling from the time they were six weeks old. And even to this day, you know, my daughter went over and studied abroad in Italy this last year. And I mean, I think she was gone every weekend going somewhere just because she was used to it, you know, and, and I think they were lucky. We were lucky. And we were able to have a family and, and have a job, have a family and still do the stuff that you love to do.

Mike Gonzalez  28:24

Yeah, I think when kids get an opportunity to travel, they become fearless.

Hurst, Pat  28:30

Yeah, they grow this Yes, totally. They grew up really fast. And and like so what the daycare, what they do with it with the kids, you know, they try to set up daycare the same every week. So they feel so they're familiar with, with not only the same people, but with the surroundings, right. And, again, they don't know any better. They've traveled since they were six weeks old. And but they got to experience so much out there. And we got to do together. Right. And I am again. I was lucky I had a different life where a lot of the you know, families Juli, she she never went longer than two weeks without seeing her family. I had my family out on tour with me, you know, and so that I mean, it was just, I was I was very lucky.

Mike Gonzalez  29:22

Yeah, yeah. Some people talk about when they're home. Having added kids, they find that their practice becomes much more efficient.

Hurst, Pat  29:30

Correct? Yes. When I would go home, you know, with the kids with me, I would go home and I would be up early and I get my stuff done. You know, again, we were living in Arizona at the time so I wouldn't mind going out and hitting balls at six, 6:15 in the morning and I'm done by 10 o'clock, and I have the rest of the day to be with them.

Mike Gonzalez  29:50

So, Jackson Jeffrey comes along and then Bruce in 2000 of victory number three comes

Devlin, Bruce  29:57

Electrolux USA championship at Legend's Golf Club in Tennessee by four, Oh, I wonder if Juli Inkster remembers this one?

Hurst, Pat  30:06

Oh no. 

Mike Gonzalez  30:08

I hope so

Hurst, Pat  30:10

I was just out there earlier in the year and I said I'm at our favorite place. Well where's that? And so I said, Well, I'm in. I'm in Nashville at the Legends. Oh Okay. She acted like she didn't remember the Legends. No. Actually that so here's another tidbit with that tournament. I won on my very first Mother's Day. So that was my first Mother's Day and I won. Yeah, on that Sunday.  How cool was that.  Yep. And, after having Riley. Lost on Sunday for my first Mother's Day with Riley to the lovely Annika. But yeah, so I won on my first Mother's Day there in Nashville.

Mike Gonzalez  30:58

Yeah. So speaking of Nashville, that tournament was hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant. Did you get like a signed guitar or anything as part of this deal?

Hurst, Pat  31:06

I did. Yeah. Yeah. I did. And it's up on the wall. It's up in the other room up on the wall. And yeah, how cool is that? Right, Amy? Amy Grant and Vince Gill. They were a big part of our Nashville tournament for years. And so was really cool to, you know, even even now, when Amy Grant comes into town. I try to go and see her, you know, and she's coming in February. So hopefully I'll be around for me to go see. I think she'll be in San Jose playing here.

Mike Gonzalez  31:39

Is he touring with the Eagles now.

Devlin, Bruce  31:41

I was gonna say. He still is. They're on a two year tour.

Hurst, Pat  31:48

OK, I went and saw him with the Eagles. Oh, my goodness. I want to say we were in in Arizona for some reason. And saw him there. Yeah, or it could have been Portland. So yeah, really cool. 

Mike Gonzalez  32:06

Great entertainer. One thing I noticed as you go through these LPGA victories that Pat had, every first score first round score starts with a six.

Devlin, Bruce  32:16

That's good. That's always good.

Hurst, Pat  32:19

Yeah, I like that. I like that.

Mike Gonzalez  32:23

Well, life happens again. So you know, we go to 2002 and your daughter's born. So you know, now you've got Jackson Jeffrey and Reilly Ann joining the mix. And, and then it was 2005 where you got the next win at the Rail, which we'll talk about so you know, five year gap again, it's not easy having a family and balancing all this stuff isn't?

Hurst, Pat  32:52

Yeah, no, it's it's time management. It is. You know, being Mom Right? Golf. Golf isn't first in, in your book anymore. It's it's all about the family. And and sometimes it's a blessing, right to have them because you get done with golf and you and you have them and you go back and you forget about those, those bad holes. And so, you know, sometimes it's a blessing. And sometimes, you know, you've got to put in a little different work. Your work is different when you start having a family.

Mike Gonzalez  33:26

So we've talked a lot about this tournament. It's the State Farm cCassic at the Rail Golf Course in Springfield, Illinois, which is right down the street from where I spent a few of my formative years. This one was by three over Christie Kerr. So between the the Electrolux and the State Farm probably a little little easier walk down the 18th hole I would guess.

Hurst, Pat  33:48

Yeah. It's funny because I would never have thought I would win at the Rail because it was it's more of a putting contest. It's there's "there's no jail at the Rail." So you hit it as far as you can, but you got to make the putts out there. And but yeah, I didn't you know, so it was it was kind of a different place. For me, I never didn't really didn't have a lot of good memories playing there for some reason. And all of a sudden I come out with and it was just one of those days where in one of those weeks where everything just was was easy. Right in golf was easy. And it was the week before so I'm getting ready for Solheim at Crooked Stick. And I don't know I just felt really, really good about my game at that point.

Mike Gonzalez  34:42

That's a good time of the year to get hot in it. Yes, exactly. Yeah. Well, and then you had a pretty close call almost got a second major the following year didn't you at the U.S. Open. Tell us a little bit about that.

Hurst, Pat  34:57

Yeah, that was it that that year Um, we're playing it in Rhode Island, kind of without Newport, Rhode Island in how to play a lot of golf on Sunday. I want to I want to say we played 30 some holes because it was we got fogged out you know, played a couple holes and that was it. And it was just again, I don't know, I don't know how I play well at USGA events consider me just the way that they set up the Golf Course is so so hard, but you know, it was it was a fun Golf Course it was it was a lot of golf. You know, thank God I was it was in pretty good shape. But it was I just played well and and then we went into that lat into the playoff. You know, I remember making a pat on on 18 to stay in it. Come back on Monday, and it was, like surreal. It was. I mean, there was nobody out there. There was no wind it was it was just really weird. It was just a whole different Golf Course. And just the vibe was different. It just started out you know, I think she birdied maybe the first hall and I missed this, you know, shorter putt, and just never got it going. And that was one that I you know, I felt like if there was one that I would want to win, it would be that one and dammit, I didn't win it. So but you know what? It is what it is I put up a good fight. And you can look back and say, Oh, I could have done this. I should have done that. But you know, I played played well. And one other person beat me. So was it was a lot of fun.

Mike Gonzalez  36:42

It wasn't  the only time you were gonna face Miss Sorenstam in a playoff either?

Hurst, Pat  36:47

No, Yeah. She's got my number, damn her. I think she's got a lot of people's number.

Devlin, Bruce  36:54

Oh yeah. I was gonna say, don't feel like the Lone Ranger.

Hurst, Pat  36:59

I'm definitely not.

Mike Gonzalez  37:01

At least on 72 occasions, she had everybody's number on the LPGA tour. And we just learned that yesterday she becomes the newest member of Augusta National.

Hurst, Pat  37:12

I saw that. I don't know where I saw that. But I did see that. Yeah, maybe she'll invite me.

Devlin, Bruce  37:18

I was gonna say, 

Hurst, Pat  37:19

You think she'll remember, 

Mike Gonzalez  37:20

Maybe you can play in a member-guest with her or something. Right?

Hurst, Pat  37:24

I know. So we'll see.

Mike Gonzalez  37:27

Thank you for listening to another episode of FORE the Good of the Game. And please, wherever you listen to your podcasts on Apple and Spotify, if you like what you hear, please subscribe, spread the word and tell your friends. Until we tee it up again, FORE the Good of the Game., so long, everybody.

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