Her Faith & Scriptures Helped Hull To Victory

In Milwaukee in 1983 Vancouver's Richard Zokol became 'Disco Dick' when he used a walkman headset to listen to FM music to soothe his turbulent emotions and block outside distractions while playing his early seasons on the PGA TOUR.

Last week in Ottawa Katherine Hull of Australia revealed that her faith played a role in helping her win the 2008 CN Canadian Women's Open championship for her first title on the LPGA Tour.

We take you now to the media room in the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club
where Ashley Cushman of the LPGA TOUR is interviewing Katharine in front of a large gathering of international golf writers.

Editors Note: The following is an abbreviated portion of that interview.

ASHLEY CUSHMAN: Katherine, this is your 109th start on the LPGA Tour, and today marks your first career win at the CN Canadian Women's Open. Congratulations. Came close, one stroke, but it was a come-from-behind win. How are you feeling right now? Does it feel the way you always thought it would feel?

KATHERINE HULL: I'm shocked that it actually happened, but obviously this is a dream come true. I mean, it's just something that probably all of us out here just dream about as kids.
To finally have it come to reality is just amazing. I can't put it into words right now.

ASHLEY CUSHMAN: And in addition to your win, this is one of the Winners Events on the LPGA Tour, so today you punched your ticket to the season ending ADT Championship where you'll have a chance to compete for $1 million. How about that?

KATHERINE HULL: Well, I didn't know that. That's like another bonus, I guess. It's going to be exciting. ADT's obviously been a great sponsor for us over the years, so something to keep in mind and work even harder for.

Q. You finished second in the Canadian Open in 2005, and now for your best finish ever, in the 2008 edition of the Canadian Open, how do you feel about this great comeback today, and how does it feel to jump from 50th place on the Money List to 15?

KATHERINE HULL: The good news just keeps coming. It's like Christmas. I am ecstatic. I mean, dream come true. Really, I mean this is probably not going to sink in until tonight or tomorrow. I was thinking this year it would be that I broke through and made a win.
Obviously today I was what, six shots back? I didn't really think too much it. I was just going out there and trying to play the best I could. I honestly didn't expect to win at all, but that's the way golf goes.
Four rounds and 72 holes anything can happen. You got to be patient. Fortunately for me I was able to close it out.

Q. The other day when you set or tied what had been the course record, you talked about being able to distract yourself between shots so that you didn't over think yourself on the golf course. Were you able to maintain that kind of an attitude today, or did you get caught up in what was going on around you?

KATHERINE HULL: From the start today I was in between shots just reading scripture and quoting scripture. Actually didn't look at a leaderboard until the 16th hole, and I wasn't intentionally looking at it. When I went to tap in my putt I caught a glance and saw that I was first. I think it was a two shot lead at the time.
I mean, I got a little excited, but I kind of told myself that I still had two holes to go and just to continue doing what I was doing and stay in the process.
You know, I tried to do today what worked on Friday and it turned out.

Q. Does your strong religious background as a Christian help you a lot playing golf, and especially today? For example, you were six strokes behind?

KATHERINE HULL: Oh, yeah, definitely today. But I give credit to God for having the ability to play. You know we have all got different gifts. It's up to us to work hard at them. But yeah, I mean, it's all by the grace of God that I'm here.
(The Gospel) John's kind of verses the other day helped me get back on track. Spiritual life fluctuates. It's been like a roller coaster for me, especially this past year. It's nice to kind of figure out what I need to do and kind of, I guess, wreak the harvest and blessings.

Q.When you started today, did you think there was any chance at all of overtaking Yani with her fourstroke lead in the tournament, and six over you?

KATHERINE HULL: Being a Christian I would have to say that with God anything is possible. But then again, I wasn't thinking about being the one at the end of the day hoisting the trophy. I try to stay so focused on my game plan and just doing what I've done the last couple days.
Yeah, I mean, you don't expect it, but there's always that possibility.

Q. There were some Australians off to the right side of 18th fairway as you walked up. Did you hear them or others cheering for you? And was it after you saw the scoreboard that you started to think about the possibility of winning?

KATHERINE HULL: Well, actually, one of the Bible versus I was quoting . . . I'm going to have to double check on it actually . . . I try memorize a lot out there . . . But I want to say First Corinthians 9:24 through 27. And then Galatians 6:4 through 5. I think I made mention to that one the other day.
But I'm pretty sure the Corinthians one I made reference to, there's a lot of people in a race and only one person that wins, so run to win. That one I've just been trying to quote the last three days.
I would hope all of us are out here are playing to win. It's not like we want to finish second or 20th. But, yeah, I don't know what to say. I'm like so overwhelmed right now. Yeah, it's a dream come true . . . It's what we work so hard for.

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Editor's Note:
Katharine Hull won $337,500, her biggest career payday since joining the tour in 2004, boosting her to 17th place on this season's official money list with $605,388. In 142 LPGA TOUR tournaments Hull has won $1,171,191.