Woody Austin's Favorite Things

The PGA pro's picks.

Woody Austin is a familiar name to most golfers in Wichita. But to the rest of the world, relatively few had heard of the PGA pro until the second round of last year’s President’s Cup. It was on the 14th hole at Royal Montreal that the 44-year-old golf pro fell face-first into a lake while trying to salvage an errant shot. The blooper earned him the nickname “Aquaman,” a moniker he took in jest by donning a scuba mask two days later. Even today, players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jack Nicklaus kid him about the incident. “I hear it at every tournament,” he says.

Of course, Austin worked hard to make a name for himself long before “The Dive.” The University of Miami alum turned pro at the age of 31, after working as a credit-union teller. In 1995, he won Rookie of the Year over David Duval. Austin’s best finish in a major came last year, when he finished second to Woods at the PGA Championship. He also won the Stanford St. Jude Championship, a special feat to him because his boys were old enough to appreciate it.

Today, the Florida native lives in Derby with his wife, Shannon, and their two sons. Austin recently took time between tournaments to chat about everything from his favorite Wichita golf course to his preferred swim stroke. (We couldn’t resist.)

Drink? Dr. Pepper. I just love it. I’ve enjoyed it since I was a kid.

Sunday afternoon activity? I’m a TV buff. I can sit and watch sports all day long, which can make my wife angry at times.

Way to start the day? I hate mornings. I have to drink a Dr. Pepper to get me going.

First job? I was a burger flipper at a Burger King in Tampa, Florida.

Motto or catchphrase? Don’t give up. If I had given up, I would never be where I’m at today.

Local golf course? The Wichita Country Club is my favorite. I love the tree lines and constant doglegs. The most demanding would have to be Prairie Dunes.

Sports team? For college, it’s the University of Miami. I’ve also always been a Lakers fan. Magic Johnson was my favorite. I’m a long-time Cowboys fan, too.

Vacation? Unfortunately, we haven’t gone on too many family vacations lately. We did go to Atlantis in the Bahamas last year.

Author or book? I’m not much of a reader. I always fall asleep any time I start to read. I can’t even read the sports page without falling asleep.

Favorite song? “The Dance” by Garth Brooks.

Golf player? I’m like about everybody else. I grew up idolizing Jack Nicklaus.

Local restaurant and dish? Sesame chicken at Great Wall.

Hobbies? Anything sports-related. I love to play basketball. I play in a winter league. I also play softball in summer. And I bowl with the kids. I finished with a 205 average last year and rolled a 279 in one game, so I can still roll with the best of them.

Way to celebrate after a big win? Just hanging out with friends and family.

Place to get a haircut? My wife. She used to be a hair stylist, so I don’t have to go out. She’s got her own barber’s chair in the basement. She cuts hair for the entire family.

Good luck charm or pre-game ritual? I always keep a picture of my family in my yardage book during a round. I get a new picture each year.

Favorite swim stroke? Freestyle. I grew up in Florida, so I learned to swim by the time I was 10.