Propensities FIRST ANNUAL PGA TOUR PLAYER SURVEY
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED recently surveyed 70 PGA Tour players--about
the number who make the cut in an average week--to gauge their
feelings on issues salient and frivolous. Some of the players
declined to answer certain questions, while others offered
(under the cloak of anonymity) several choice one-liners, the
most telling of which are offered along with the results of our
survey.
1. Have you ever voted for a Democrat?
Yes 25%
No 75%
LOOSE LIPS
"God, no!"
"Hell, no!"
"Sorry, I've never voted."
2. Are you pro choice?
Yes 56%
No 36%
Undecided 8%
3. Who's the best-looking wife (can't vote for your own)?
Dana Byrum (Tom) 26%
Karen Chamblee (Brandel) 10%
Sonya Toms (David) 10%
Tabitha Furyk (Jim) 5%
Angela Hjertstedt (Gabriel) 5%
Also receiving votes:
Dawn Bateman (Brian), Cyndi Carter (Jim), Lisa Cink (Stewart),
Julie Crenshaw (Ben), Melissa Lehman (Tom), Tammy Mayfair
(Billy), Amy Mickelson (Phil), Selena Nobilo (Frank), Jenny
Rollins (John), Ashley Sutton (Hal), Lea Waite (Grant), Marnie
Williamson (Jay).
Note: Jesper Parnevik's nannies--twin sisters from
Sweden--received 14%.
LOOSE LIPS
"This is anonymous, right?"
4. Who spreads the most gossip?
Wives 26%
Lee Porter 14%
Caddies 11%
Jeff Sluman 9%
Billy Andrade, Greg Kraft 6%
LOOSE LIPS
"Anybody from Oklahoma State."
5. Should new limits be imposed on the golf ball to reduce
distance?
Yes 60%
No 40%
6. Do you ever notice attractive women in the gallery during a
round?
Yes 94%
No 6%
LOOSE LIPS
"This is anonymous, right?"
"They don't follow me anymore."
7. Have you ever been fined by the Tour?
Yes 31%
No 69%
8. Which is the worst course on Tour?
LaCantera (Texas Open) 23%
En-Joie (B.C. Open) 18%
TPC at Heron Bay (Honda Classic) 16%
Poppy Hills (Pebble Beach Pro-Am) 16%
Kapalua (Mercedes Championships) 5%
Westchester (Buick Classic) 4%
Southern Highlands (Las Vegas Classic) 4%
Also receiving votes:
Bermuda Dunes (Hope), Castle Pines (International), English Turn
(Compaq Classic), Glen Abbey (Canadian Open), Kingsmill
(Michelob), Spyglass Hill (Pebble Beach Pro-Am), TPC at Avenel
(Kemper Open), TPC at Las Colinas (Nelson), TPC at River
Highlands (Greater Hartford Open), Waialae (Hawaiian Open).
LOOSE LIPS
"Pick a TPC, any TPC."
9. The best course?
Pebble Beach 29%
Muirfield Village (Memorial) 21%
Riviera (Nissan Open) 11%
Westchester 8%
Augusta National (Masters) 6%
Harbour Town (Worldcom Classic) 6%
Colonial (Colonial) 5%
Also receiving votes:
Cog Hill (Western), East Lake (Tour Championship), Firestone
(NEC Invitational), LaCantera, Spyglass Hill, TPC at Deere Run
(John Deere), TPC at Sawgrass (Players).
10. Do you smoke or use tobacco during a round?
Yes 17%
No 83%
11. What is your favorite brand of beer?
Coors Light 32%
Bud Light 7%
Coors, Guinness, Miller Lite, Victoria Bitter 3%
Note: 17% don't drink alcohol; 13% don't drink beer.
LOOSE LIPS
"Never met a beer I didn't like."
12. Have you attended church in the last month?
Yes 77%
No 23%
LOOSE LIPS
"No, but the way I'm playing, I'd better."
13. Have you gone fishing in the last month?
Yes 37%
No 63%
LOOSE LIPS
"It's hunting season."
14. Have you read a book in the last month?
Yes 53%
No 47%
LOOSE LIPS
"Do magazines count?"
"Lots of children's books."
15. Who is the worst-dressed player?
David Sutherland 29%
Jesper Parnevik 26%
Brad Bryant 12%
Jonathan Kaye, Duffy Waldorf, Boo Weekley 5%
Woody Austin, Craig Stadler 3%
Also receiving votes: Stephen Ames, Ed Fiori, Simon Hobday,
Scott Hoch, Pete Jordan, Tom Lehman, Colin Montgomerie and Greg
Norman.
LOOSE LIPS
"Some people should learn that you can use an iron off the
course, too."
16. The best-dressed?
Tommy Armour III 22%
Tiger Woods 19%
Steve Elkington 17%
Rocco Mediate 7%
Jesper Parnevik 7%
Greg Norman 3%
Also receiving votes:
Michael Clark, John Cook, Nick Faldo, Dan Forsman, David Frost,
Charles Howell, Frank Lickliter, Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson,
Mark O'Meara, Corey Pavin, Jeff Sluman, Hal Sutton, David Toms
and Mike Weir.
LOOSE LIPS
"TA3 spends an absolute ton on his clothes."
"Tiger looks good in everything."
17. Are caddies making too much money?
Yes 14%
No 86%
LOOSE LIPS
"Not mine."
"For what they do, yes. But we're making too much money for what
we do, too."
18. Have you ever checked your cell phone, Palm Pilot or pager
during a round?
Yes 14%
No 86%
LOOSE LIPS
"I've called after 12 holes on Friday to book my flight out."
19. Do you agree with the Tour's minimum-age restriction (18
years old)?
Yes 60%
No 40%
LOOSE LIPS
"Does the Tour hire p.r. firms and then do the opposite of what
they're told?"
20. Which tournament has the best fans?
Phoenix 22%
British Open 20%
Masters 19%
Hartford 6%
Memorial (Columbus, Ohio) 5%
Air Canada (Vancouver),
Players (Jacksonville),
Western (Chicago) 3%
LOOSE LIPS
"Phoenix is a blast. Some underwear is too tight out here."
21. The worst fans?
Phoenix 53%
Buick Classic (New York) 22%
Nissan Open (Los Angeles) 5%
Buick Open (Flint, Mich.), Hartford,
Las Vegas 3%
LOOSE LIPS
"They think they're at a football game in Phoenix."
SIX COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS: ILLUSTRATIONS BY VICTOR JUHASZ
COLOR PHOTO: HUY NGUYEN Best-Looking Wife: Dana Byrum
COLOR PHOTO: ROBERT BECK Worst Course: LaCantera
COLOR PHOTO: ROBERT BECK
COLOR PHOTO: DARREN CARROLL Worst Dressed: David Sutherland
COLOR PHOTO: ROBERT BECK Best Fans: Phoenix Worst Fans: Phoenix