We talk to the Englishman about the season ahead, his mate Ian Poulter and John Parry's snoring!
Euro Tour star talks 2012 goals, Ian Poulter and John Parry's snoring!
After a Challenge Tour victory in 2009 and two solid seasons on the full European Tour, England's Gary Boyd will be hoping to make a big impression in 2012.
Boyd has featured on plenty of leaderboards in the last few years and shared the halfway lead with Rory McIlroy, Simon Dyson and Jamie Donaldson at this year's Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
At the back end of 2010, his rookie season on the main tour, a brilliant 63 put him two clear going into the final round of the Castello Masters in Spain where he eventually finished tied third.
Boyd, a Manchester United fan who shares a strong friendship and endless football-based banter with Arsenal-supporting Ian Poulter, hopes the door will open in 2012 and he can get that elusive first win.
Ahead of his campaign we talked to the 25-year-old from Banbury about life on tour and his hopes for the future.
Sky Sports: After a long, gruelling European Tour season, you finished 78th in the Race to Dubai, playing 28 events and winning just under 400k Euro. What was the highlight of your playing year in 2011?
Gary: There were a couple of highlights for me, obviously finishing tied second in Italy was my best finish of the season so that would be one of them. Going back to the Czech Open and having another top five finish was another and also qualifying for The Open at Sandwich and being in contention going into the weekend.
Sky Sports: You played exactly the same amounts of events in 2010, and finished 50th on the RTD. How did the two seasons vary for you?
GB: They were completely different seasons even though all my stats from tee to green were very similar. I had a better start in my first few events this season than the previous but then didn't really get going till the summer where I played my best. The season before I had a poor first half of the season, struggling to keep my card really, then had a great end to the season.
Sky Sports: You are big friends with Ian Poulter. How has he helped and influenced your career to date?
GB: Ian has been someone who has worked very hard throughout his career to get to where he is now and I know how hard he is working at present to get better. I always look up to the best players in the world to see the things they do that I can put in my game to improve, but Ian has always tried to guide me along the right path of the way to do things and always tried to help me with my game in every aspect.
Sky Sports: What is the strongest part of your game? And what's your favourite club in the bag?
GB: My bunker play has always been a strong part and also I feel when I'm playing my best I drive the ball very well. My favourite club would be my lob wedge. I use it a lot especially out of bunkers and in difficult spots around the green.
Sky Sports: What is in the bag?
GB: Over the past few seasons I have been using Ping clubs but have recently switched to Callaway which I will be using from the start of the 2012 season which is going to be exciting.
Sky Sports: Which event are you most looking forward to this season on the European Tour?
GB: I'm looking forward mainly to the Desert Swing starting in Abu Dhabi in a few weeks. It means it's the start of the new season which is something I'm looking forward to the most. Also going back to the Czech Republic where I have had two strong finishes.
Sky Sports: You have had one professional victory to you name, the 2009 Kenya Open on the Challenge Tour. Was that the best moment of your career thus far?
GB: The victory in Kenya was a great moment for me as I had a really poor end to my first season. I took some time out then went away that winter and worked really hard on my game. I came back to Kenya and played great all week which set me up to have a great season in securing my card for the 09/10 season. Qualifying for my first major in 2008 was also a great moment for me, something that I had wanted to do when I grew up watching some of the great players compete for the claret jug, then going out practising different shots putting pressure on myself saying this is for The Masters or the British Open.
Sky Sports: You seem to like the Czech Open with a play-off loss to Peter Hanson in 2010 and a fourth place this year. What is it about the course or the area that seems to suit you?
GB: I'm not sure! I guess having a good finish the year before gave me a lot of confidence going into the tournament, even though they had changed the golf course by playing a different front 9 to the year before. I think also having a couple of weeks' break before that tournament has been good for me to get as well prepared as I can.
Sky Sports: When on tour, who is your roommate, and who are your best friends with (bar ian Poulter)?
GB: Normally I was rooming with John Parry but he has a tendency to snore! There was one time in Ireland when we had an apartment. It was the night before the first round and i had to move my mattress out into the kitchen because it was horrendous! The thing was when he woke up he didn't even realise I had gone! That said, John is one of my best friends on tour along with James Morrison. We normally go to dinner and hang out but I get on with a lot of the guys especially the ones who I used to play in the England team with.
Sky Sports: You have played in two major championships so far, the 2010 US Open and last year's Open where you finished 38th. How much different is a major to a normal event, and will you be looking to feature in more of them in the up coming years?
GB: All the best players in the world are there, these tournaments are the ones you try to peak for every year. Not that you don't try and play great every week but a major championship is special. The atmosphere is different to a normal tour event, the golf course is set up a lot tougher. Playing in those three majors has definitely given me the buzz to play a lot more and be in contention in the next few years so I will be working hard to make sure I achieve that goal.
Sky Sports: What are your goals for the 2012 season, a first European Tour victory?
GB: That's definitely one of them for sure. I set that goal for last season but it didn't work out, but sometimes you can do everything in your power to get that win but that someone else is better that week. So I am going to prepare as well as I can and work hard achieving goals in my game which will hopefully result in being more consistent and hopefully knocking on the door for my first win.
Sky Sports: Good luck Gary.
* Gary Boyd was talking to John Rhodes
