The Back Nine with Gamecock Junior Will Murphy

May 6, 2014

Throughout the spring, Gamecocksonline.com will catch up with each member of the men’s golf team for a feature called The Back Nine, focusing on nine golf-related questions. This week we are featuring junior Will Murphy.

When did you first start playing golf and what drew you to the game?
I first started playing when I was 3 years old, and my dad and granddad got me into the game.

Who is your favorite professional golfer?
Dustin Johnson because he has the ability to hit shots most people can’t even imagine. I also like the way he carries himself on the course.

What is your favorite golf course that you’ve played?
Torrey Pines because of all the history that place has. So many great golfing moments have happened there, and it was very cool to walk in the steps of some of the greatest players.

What is your favorite golf memory?
Winning a state championship with my brother in high school. It was really cool to play on the same team with my brother and to share that feeling of winning with him.

What is the most memorable competition moment of your career?
Shooting a 67 in the first round of the U.S. Junior in 2009 was one of my most memorable moments. It was cool at the time to look at the leaderboard and see my name above Jordan Spieth and so many other great players.

Who has influenced you most in your golf career?
My dad and Fred Wadsworth (played golf at South Carolina) have both been a key part of my golf career. I started working with Fred when I was in middle school, and he has helped me improve my game every year.

What are you most known for in golf/your strong suit?
Most people know me as a really long driver, but I would say my strong part of my game is my wedge control.

What is your dream foursome and what golf course would you play?
I would play with Ernie Els, Dustin Johnson and George W. Bush at Augusta National. They are all people that I have admired from an early age.

What’s in your bag?
Ping G25 driver
Nike Sasquatch 3 wood
Ping Answer hybrid
Ping S55 irons 4-pw
Ping Answer wedges 52, 56, 60 degrees
Rife Aussie putter
Titleist Pro V1x golf ball