I'm not the guy who's afraid of failure. I like to take risks, take the big shot and all that.

Success is born out of faith, an undying passion, and a relentless drive.

It represents a Bible verse I wear on my shoe. Philippians 4:13. It says 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' It's also my mantra, how I get up for games and why I play the way I do.

I've played with Mardy Fish a lot. Played with him, I think, two years ago in one of the weekend rounds.

In my late teens, like many a devout Catholic boy, I considered the priesthood and even went as far as discussing the idea at a seminary in Belfast but hesitated. I decided to focus on physics at university, another way perhaps to contemplate the mysteries of reality.

On the court, I'm not afraid of anything. I try to have confidence and have a belief in myself.

I can accomplish all those. It's really awkward, kind of, for me coming out here and being in a competitive golf atmosphere. I don't get to do it but once a year, except my, like, local tournaments back home in Oakland.