Cool Runnings

From PGA West at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic

After an 11- under par, 61, what do you do for an encore? What kind of pressure do you feel? How to you handle the next round of the tournament? The air around you should almost vibrate with tension, or at least that’s what most people would think.

 Nobody told Pat Perez that he was supposed to be tense today, the morning after his First Round 61 at the 50^th Anniversary Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. The Golf Channel and even ESPN peppered the air with not only highlights of the round, which made Perez the Round One Leader, but also with statistics. Those stats showed the world that Perez has not followed up other low, low rounds with anything out of the 70s. Obviously, Pat Perez wasn’t watching.

On the driving range Thursday morning, Perez looked more like a guy hooking up with his “Buds” for a quick morning round than a guy leading an important tournament hosted by Arnold Palmer. Casually pounding shots while discussing almost anything except golf, Perez and his caddie not only looked unfazed, they looked downright oblivious. Perez worked though his clubs at a slow unmeasured pace, his face bright with enthusiasm, not showing even a hint of stress.

As Perez moved to the putting green, he was not grinding on his stroke but rather enjoying the moment. “Hey Georgie… where you been,” he called out to George Ortieg, one of his amateur playing partners. The robust and likeable Ortieg shot back something unprintable and a lively banter began between them, lasting right up until Perez’s caddie called him to the #1 Tee on the Nicklaus Private Course.

As Perez made his way to the tee, he was followed by more than the usual number of photographers; you get the BIG cameras when you go really low in a PGA event. Naturally, everyone wanted to know something about how he would follow up on Wednesday’s round. With a broad grin, Perez simply replied, “Let’s see.” He then peppered a 3-Wood into the fairway and the smile just got bigger. As he waited for his amateur playing partners to tee off, someone said, “What do you think? 64…65 today?” Perez smiled a bit wider and replied, “That would be real nice.”

Oh, so how’d he get started on his round? Only by shooting a 5-under 31 on the front nine and increasing his tournament lead to 2 strokes. Oh yeah, Pat Perez is in a zone at the Hope.