CK: I had been very close to getting my first top-ten two weeks before at the Western Championship in Kamloops where I played really well and shot 16-under. I was relieved to finally do it, at the Syncrude. It feels great, but I do think about some of the shots that got away - mainly so I can prevent them from getting away again. It is definitely one of the things that confirm I belong out here.
BG: After the Syncrude, you missed the cut at both the ATB Financial Classic in Calgary, and the Dakota Dunes Casino Open in Saskatoon. What do you think happened?
CK: I'm not really sure to be honest. I felt good going into the events. I liked the courses (Bearspaw CC and Dakota Dunes). I think maybe I just got caught up in playing well and tried so hard to play well rather than just let it happen.
BG: You came back strongly at the Players Cup in Winnipeg where you actually had a good chance of winning. How did you turn it around?
CK: I really stayed patient there. I never tried to do anything amazing. I concentrated a lot of my effort and practice time on my putting, and just hit a lot of good, solid shots. I had rounds of 70, 66, 70 and 72 and to be honest they were fairly simple rounds - fairways and greens, not many long putts for par. I didn't make many mistakes. But, again, I thought about the shots that got away in the last round during which I fell from 4th to T13. On the other hand, I was really trying to win, and if you're not trying to win then you shouldn't be out here.
BG: We all saw Canadian Tour member Adam Hadwin finish tied for fourth (two shots out of the playoff) at the RBC Canadian Open in Vancouver. Do you know him at all, and how does your game compare with his?
CK: I know Adam quite well; we talk with each other at tournaments. But I've not played with him yet so it's hard to compare my game with his. He's a laid-back guy who just goes about his business and doesn't make many mistakes. He's not afraid to play well or badly. Seeing him finish so high at the RBC didn't surprise me. Nothing in golf surprises me anymore, except what Tiger does perhaps. Everyone out here is talented and capable of playing well, and he just happened to have a big stage.
CK: I spent the four weeks practicing every day, and I'm sure no one else really took time off. But I did relax too. I also did one of the most exciting things a man will ever do. I proposed to Alyssa and we are now engaged to be married, probably sometime late next summer. A lot of my success this year is thanks to her because through good rounds and bad rounds she has supported me, picked me up when I got negative, and really believed in me. She has been so great, and I really appreciate everything she has done. I also couldn't do any of this without the support of my family. They too have always believed in me, and supported me. I'm just glad to be playing well and giving them something to be proud of.
BellinghamGolfer congratulates Chris on his excellent play of late, and engagement to Alyssa.
