Former Ryder Cup player and Irish Open Winner John O'Leary now reigns supreme as Director of Golf at the Buckinghamshire. He talks about the importance of ritual in preparing for a big game and which holes at the Bucks could make or break your day.

“Without the hunger there you have no chance”

In this interview John talks about:

- how the level in golf has never been higher
- The importance of ritual in preparing for a big game
- How technology has changed the way golf is played
- His personal heroes and who he rates in golf today
- Which holes at the Bucks could make or break your day

Tell us a little about yourself
I started playing as a twelve year old, then played amateur golf for Ireland and turned professional when I was twenty. I played on the European tour from 1970 – 91, winning four events and played in the Ryder Cup in 1975. My biggest win was the Irish Open in 1982.

From when you played golf to now, what aspects have changed in terms of sportsmanship and the quality of playing? Are players as hungry for success or is it too easy for them?
I don't think the hunger aspect has changed, without that there you have no chance. The desire in the youngsters really has started to show itself because the level of the competition is so high not just in golf but in everything today.

The game has changed a lot - because of the equipment people are hitting the ball so much further. There's a more scientific approach today. The science aspect was there when I started but it has expanded incredibly as so much more technology is available today. There's so much more information and communication that it is more straightforward now to learn the technique of golf. It's much more clear-cut now than it ever was"

“The desire in the youngsters really has started to show itself because the level of the competition is so high not just in golf but in everything today.”

The Bucks was home to last year's Trilby Tour and is where this year's Amateur and Pro Finals will be played. Which is the hole to look out for?

"The 8th hole which will be played as the 17th on the day is the tricky one. For anyone who did not play last year, I can say that they are in for a very special day out. If they can they should try and get a practice round in so they are fully prepared on the day as really the 17th is the one that could make or break your day. It's reachable from the tee if you fancy yourself but a score-wrecker if you fail."

What makes the Trilby Tour so special in your opinion?
It's the players and the exciting atmosphere. You can feel the sense of anticipation from the players. They were on edge but on edge in a nice way. It wasn't just a normal turn up for a round of golf, the whole set up made it feel like everyone was playing in a really big event and that created the atmosphere that the players were really excited about."

How do you prepare for a big competition like the Irish Open?
"Every player has got a different routine - you have fixed patterns to what you would do in order to get the best out of yourself. I lived in London since 1971 but when in Ireland I always stayed at my mother's house in Dublin. It was always a fixed preparation, how you would practice, what you would do, how you would rest etc. There was a pattern to everything. You would practise on the Monday and Tuesday and get prepared for Wednesday's Pro-Am. Normally you would play with the amateurs in the Pro-Am and hit a number of balls. On this day you would be relaxing and winding down, trying to conserve your energy for the tournament."

"There was always a fixed preparation, how you would practice, what you would do, how you would rest etc. There was a pattern to everything."

Who were your personal heroes growing up?
"When I started the game Gary Player and Lee Trevino were at the height of their powers they were tremendous inspirations not just as golfers but as people. I had the privilege of playing rounds with them in tournament condition. My expectations of them not just as golfers but as people, were more than delivered"

Which players do you currently rate?
"The game has an ambassador for life in somebody like Tiger Woods. He's an inspiration off the course as well as on it. It's remarkable what he's done as a human being and we're blessed to have somebody like him leading at the head of the game. Both he and Padraig Harrington are as outstanding off the course as they are on it. Both of them have got wonderful values.

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