Love, Golf, Magic
For the third year in a row Justin Timberlake will host the PGA Tour's Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas (Oct. 21--24). The six-time Grammy winner and six handicap talks hosting duties, his first ace and why rap and golf don't mix.
NO T-PAIN, NO GAIN
"My first rule as host is to make this tournament different. That's why we do the charity concert. Last year we had a dream lineup [including Alicia Keys and Timbaland] on the same stage. That was special. Also, I rack my brain to make the pro-am fun, unique. It's not easy. You have to respect the PGA Tour's wishes. I play better with music, but you can't put T-Pain on the 18th hole."
THE PLAY'S THE THING
"My other rule: When play starts, get out of the way and let the pros do their thing. It's exciting. So much rides on every swing. A guy can fan his approach eight yards into a bunker, and those eight yards cost him 200 grand. I've played Madison Square Garden and hosted Saturday Night Live, but watching these guys grind it out makes me nervous."
TREE, THE HARD WAY
"Luck is part of golf. I once saw a guy make a double eagle—off a tree. [His ball] kicked off a tree 20 yards right of the green, landed and rolled in. He jumped up and down, but is that worthy of celebration?"
THE AMAZING ACE
"My first ace was at Lakeside [near L.A.]. It was a five-iron, nice draw, 182 yards, one hop and in. My buddy and I sprinted to the green and did laps, screaming. You'd think I scored the winning goal in the World Cup."
HELLISH GAME
"Golf has taught me humility. It's like no other sport. You try to just ... maintain. You have 10 minutes to think about that next shot: Six- or seven-iron? What's the wind doing? It's a head game. You get psyched out. Man, it's the devil's playground."
PHOTO
ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES (TIMBERLAKE)