In all honestly, at first I was kind of stunned when I went to check the rankings and he'd over taken me. It bothered me that "I" lost it, no discredit to Anders Play, it's been phenomenal and he deserves the number 1 spot for his play over the last few months. Since the rankings take the last 6 months into account though, I lost the spot by my relatively poor showings over the last couple of months while he's stepped it up a notch. I've played my most inconsistent LS golf in that frame, varying as many as 12-13 strokes between rounds in the same tournament. I hate to vary more then 3-4 regardless of the conditions. 

Why did my game drop off a notch? Complacency, I've been taken my game for granted for the last 6 months or so. Until Anders stepped up his play, I was still winning at least 50 percent of the tournaments despite my lack of sincere effort. Also, when I lost, it was to different people, so I saw no real threat to my standing. I didn't mind losing those tournaments either. I like to see other people succeed and I was satisfied with my diminishing play until I lost my ranking. 

Now Anders steps up his play and MAN, does he ever step it up! IF I was playing at the top of my game for every one of those tournaments, I'd be lucky to win 50 percent of them. 

Since Anders started winning consistently and especially since he's taken over the number 1 spot, I've felt pressure that's been very foreign to me since the release of LS 99. Pressure to make EVERY shot count. It feels like it's first time for me. Heavy heartbeat, breathing and nerves are something I'm just not familiar with. Although, I will admit, even though I haven't beaten him yet, I feel I'm making steps in the right direction. I'm hitting more snaps now then ever before. My complacency has caused me to lose the ability to make consistent shot judgements and when I do, I'm still failing to execute. Those are two missing ingredients for winning. I just feel that to get a win over him would be as gratifying as it was for anyone to beat me. 

Are you eager to regain the top spot? 

By reading the first question, one would assume, YES! However, as long as I play the best that I feel I'm able too on a more consistent basis, it doesn't matter to me. He took over the number 1 spot because he is better then me. He put together a tournament at Castle Pines that is just jaw dropping. My abilities were never close to what he's accomplished in some tournaments. Also, everyone knows about my health. Each year it requires me to dig deeper and try harder then I ever did in the past. Something that's very hard. The barrel is only so deep. So I don't expect to get the number 1 spot back, it'd be a bonus, and I'd consider a flash of the past. However, I do expect and demand that I start playing to MY potential. Assuming Anders will continue his play at or near his current level, my recent play just sped up the inevitable of him becoming the new number 1. My realistic goal is to at least grab a major title next year. If anyone can win the Grand Slam as I did this year, it'll be Anders next year. Of course any number of current players could ruin that for him. The skills are out there! 

Terry Schmitt, Jonathan Paul and Cory Carroll have all threatened to take the number one spot over the last year, but all have failed. What enabled Anders to succeed where others have failed? 

At times, all three of those have played at a level above what I was ever able to. However, once that level was achieved, it seemed as though they got full and satisfied, some of the same that lead to my downfall. It's too early to tell if Anders will have my consistency of always being near the top, It's been 3 years now. Early indications are I'll be playing second fiddle at best to him for a long time. 

Apart from Anders, who do you feel could be candidates for the number one spot over the next few months? 

No one in the next couple of months, Anders has too great a ranking. He'll have to have more then one bad tournament that's at least 5 strokes worse per round then his average. I haven't seen what Markus Drews has been doing the last few weeks, but I do know he has all the ability and then some of any number 1. That's why he held the ranking last year for much of the final half of the season. If he can find his intensity, Anders will be in for a Challenge. 

Someone else that comes to mind is Nick Timmerman. I knew little of him when I played him for the 2nd round of Golfcom's Match Play tournament. The conditions were b/s/f at Big Horn. Again, someone showed me exceptional talent. Only reason I won was because I made a 26 foot putt with 7 feet of break on the 18th to force SD, and then won it with an almost nonbreaking uphill 20 footer. No excuse for me to have to make putts that long. Nick got his revenge though in the same weeks PGA tour at Golfcom when he beat me by 1. I was ecstatic for him, he deserved it. There are numerous others that deserve to be named as great players, all of whom have the talent, they just need the desire. 

What do you think of LS2000? Will your game be as strong with the new version? 

When LS 1999 came out and I quickly outpaced the rest of the field, the ONLY reason I stood out is because the ball mechanics changed and I have a natural feel for it. It's been that way with every change in LS. LS2000 is my worst enemy in this regard because nothing changed in regards to ball mechanics, allowing others to catch me in the skill department, while I stand still or diminish. Other then the affect it'll have on my ability to win, ;-), it's a welcomed and refreshing change with the new courses and animations. Also the relatively few bugs with a new release is unheralded in Access's history. 

Do you still enjoy the game as much as you did this time last year? 

I've had a tough time the last few months. As I've hinted at several times, I've been going through the motions of playing, without the desire to play. Before I lost my number 1 ranking, I was seriously considering retiring from LS and mentioned it to my family and a few friends. Anders showed me that there are still things to be accomplished by me. It's an annual ritual for me to lose my desire and ranking starting in the summer and continuing on into the fall of the year. I think I just need that mental vacation. 

If you had to offer one piece of advice to a new linkster wanting to improve his game, what would it be? 

Even though I don't use charts and such except for chipping or sand play in unfamiliar situations. It's a must for the beginner to have a chance at competing today. Once you learn the game, you can put them away if you desire, to give that IRL golf feel. The knowledge is out there for you to quickly play like the pros, no sense in wasting it. 

Thanks Paul!