The Rookie(인터뷰전문)

After this season, what do you do for an encore in 1999?

Its not going to be that easy, and I know that. In many ways, I surprised myself this year. Its important to keep working hard, like I always have. At the same time, I dont want to put too much pressure on myself. Its been a great start. I hope to have many years left.

Which was bigger: winning the first LPGA major you ever played, or coming back two months later to win the U.S. Womans Open?

The first major really helped my confidence. It made me realize, if I can win my first tournament, I can win more tournaments. Every victory was a good experience, but the LPGA Championship was the biggest.

Here you are one of the in the world, and you werent eligible to play in the Solheim Cup because youre not form the U.S. or Europe. Do you think the rest of the rest of the world should be a part of the Solheim Cup?

Yes. I want to play. Its not fair, but maybe someday I change my passport to American citizen.

Your chief rival, Annika Sorenstam, who played on the European Solheim Cup team, said shed like to " Kick your butt" on the course. Did you consider that a compliment of a challenge?

Neither. I didnt think it was like Annika to talk about my game or me like that - but I dont care. Out on the LPGA Tour, were all good players.

Your father has had a huge influence on your life and career. Theres a story that he took you to the cemetery when you were a little girl and left you there. How did that make you feel?

The first time, I was really scared. My dad wanted to make me a strong player inside, so he drove me there. It was dark and quiet. The cemetery is not a good feeling. I was there by myself for maybe 30 minutes, and I could not see a thing, but I kept thinking to myself about golf, my game, I had no feelings. That was the first time I knew I was strong in my heart and in my mind. The experience has helped me feel more comfortable when I am alone.

Tiger Woods father, Earl Woods, is legendary for training Tiger to be a champion when he could barely walk. Your dad did the same to you. When he was pushing you so hard, making you ht 2,000 balls a day, having you run up and down 15 flights of stairs, didnt you ever want to say, " Dan, lighten up"?

Sometimes Id get upset because of my dad. Id think, " Why doesnt he understand me? I gave up many things, my time, even my friends." But then Id tell myself, I cant tell my dad Im too tired, that I want to give up, because I know my dad, and if I told him, hed be upset, and I dont want to make my dad upset.

Do you feel tired now?

Yes. Sometimes I tell myself I want to slow down. I dont want to play anymore. I have no time to rest, no time to make friends. But I cannot give up golf right now. I can do more than golf later on. If I can be No. 1, Ill give up many things in my life. Thats why I keep going and never give up and work hard. Its my way of keeping myself happy.

Whats the best part about being Se Ri Park?

Being recognized.

Whats the worst part?

I have no freedom. Theres no time for my life anymore.

Youve talked about the conflict between Confucianism, where youre supposed to be solemn, and your desire to smile more.

People think I never smile, but thats not true. I like to smile, but when I play golf, I dont like to smile that much. When I smile, my golf game becomes loose. I want to play my game. I dont want to be thinking about other things. Bur after that, Im smiling a lot.

Youve said the first time you cried in your life was on the 11th green at Blackwolf Run, after you sank the 15-footer to win the Open playoff. Describe that moment.

That time I feel really, really happy. It was a happy cry. A happy cry sometimes means people are surprised. I surprised myself. I feel after I make the putt, "Finally, I win" but more importantly, I was happy because my mom and dad were there to see it. The first thing was my mom and dad; the second thing was the golf tournament.

Do you feel like youve sacrificed the best part of your life for your career?

Right now I play 40 percent for myself and 60 percent for my mom and dad. I want to have a boyfriend, and I want to have fun like normal people, like people my age. With golf, I lose many things, but gain many things too. Thats why Im not upset. Im lucky. Normal people cant play golf like I can. Im lucky and Im really happy.

Speaking of happy, you bought a dog this year, which you named "Happy" to keep you company when youre on the road. You even used to bring her to the course with you.

When I first got her, I never left her alone. She just keeps talking, biting and jumping because she always wants to play. Even when I want to sleep, I have to pull my blanket on top of my face.

When youre at home, do you do normal activities, like cook?

No, I hate cooking. Its too much work. I like to eat my moms chicken, cooked Oriental style, with fried noodles. Its very spicy. I cannot eat spicy, but I do when my mom cooks it. I also love pasta.

Whats the lest movie you went to see?

"Rush Hour." It was really fun. Jackie Chans so funny. I saw it two times already. First time I see it, the next day I see it again. My favorite is "Titanic"

Who do you think is the most handsome actor?

Ah, Sean Connery. Hes old, but still good looking.

Do you watch TV?

Yes. I like the Disney channel, and cartoons, like Tom and Jerry.

Youve earned close to $1 million in prize money this year. How are you spending it?

I bought a Mercedes sport utility vehicle. I also have Samsung sedan. My next car will be BMW. I also just bought a house in Orlando near Bay hill.

When you came here almost two years ago, you didnt speaking English. Has it been tough learning to communicate?

Golf is lots more tough. Its getting more easy to speak the language, because many more people are talking to me in English.

Youve said Nancy Lopez is your idol. Do you want to be like Nancy Lopez as a golfer, as a person, or both?

Nancy Lopez is such a nice person. Shes helped me a lot in everything. I can tell her when I have problems. Im comfortable with her. I want to be like her. I want to be No. 1 in golf, like she was, but I want to be nice like her, too.

You were cranking 8-irons 150 yards at the LPGA Championship. Is that because your legs are so strong?

Its important to be strong, but golf is not about strength. When I play in pro-ams, there are many men amateurs who are stronger than me, but my drive is longer because I have better tempo. The secret to the golf swing is tempo and rhythm.

Whats the most important thing David Leadbetter has taught you?

He makes me have a compact swing, not like my former style, more like a mans.

When youre on top of your game - like when you shot the 61 and went on to set the 72-hole LPGA scoring record at the Jamie Farr Classic - what are you thinking about?

Perfect tempo, perfect rhythm. If my swing is perfect but my tempo is not good, it does not help that day/ When Im playing, Im not doing a lot of thinking/ Just one shot at a time, no more than that. Once I get my tempo, the shots go close to the pin.

What was worse for you, LPGA Qualifying School or the night before the U.S. Open playoff against Jenny Chuasiriporn?

I dont feel pressure. I just try to do my best, thats it.

If you were an ice cream, what flavor would you be?

Chocolate. Chocolate has a strong feeling. Like Im a very strong player. I hate vanilla.

What do you like most about living here?

I can go to the store here and people dont bother me. I have to be careful with everything I do in Korea. They come right up to me, even when Im eating, They dont care about my schedule.

Have you achieved all of your childhood dreams?

Not yet, but almost. My dreams are big things, not small things. Everything I dream is No. 1. Ill never finish my dreaming. Ill always see more and more.