Andres Gonzales: Broken neck launched my pro golf career
theScore-sponsored PGA golfer Mackenzie Hughes continues his "Mac Meets" series, this time sitting down with the colorful Andres Gonzales following his fourth place finish at the Barracuda Championship at the weekend.
MAC: How did you get into golf?
When I was 11 years old I broke my neck jumping out of a boat into 3 feet of water. Strangely, I landed on my feet but my knees were completely locked which compressed my spine and broke my neck. Baseball was the most contact sport I could play after getting injured. I ended up playing golf because it was a non-contact sport and also because my dad played.
MAC: If you could pick your first major to win, which one would it be and why?
The Masters has a lot of history in the United States and I like that it is played on the same course every year. I feel like I've been studying all the holes my entire life just from watching it on TV. Green is also my favorite color and I want one of those Green Jackets.
MAC: What are the perks of playing on the PGA TOUR?
A few cool perks that we have on the PGA TOUR is dry cleaning in the locker room every week and the courtesy cars usually have about 20 miles on them.
MAC: What is the best courtesy car you've ever driven?
Mercedes s550 at the Wells Fargo in Charlotte.
MAC: What was it like playing on the Mackenzie Tour - PGA TOUR Canada?
Graham (DeLaet) and I have talked about it in the past - it was the most fun we ever had playing golf.
MAC: How did you come up with the Twitter tag "Half-Man, Half-Amazing?"
When I was in high school I used to watch a lot of AND1 videos and one of the players (Anthony Heyward) had the nickname "Half-Man, Half-Amazing." I was drinking beer one night when I was making my twitter handle and so I decided to go with the description "Half-Man, Half-Amazing."
MAC: Who is your best bud on tour and what do you like to do together when you're not golfing?
One of my closest friends is Graham DeLaet and we usually just drink beer (laughs).
MAC: You have one of the most kick-ass moustaches/beards on tour, what is the best reaction you've ever gotten from the 'stash?
People don't generally think that I'm a golfer because I look more like a Harley Davidson rider. Everyone is very complimentary of it, though.
MAC: What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Sitting on my couch at home all day long when I am on an off week. I've been on the road for seven weeks now and I can't wait to get home.
MAC: Congrats on being a new dad. How has having a daughter changed your life both on and off the course?
Off the course it is incredible. On the course, it brings things into perspective. Golf is my job and what I love to play, however it's not the most important thing in life. It makes great rounds extra enjoyable and bad rounds easy to forget.
MAC: If you could suit up for any other professional sports team which one would it be and why?
I am a big Seattle sports fan so it would have to be the Seattle Seahawks or the Seattle Mariners. I like the lifestyle of a baseball player - it's very casual.
MAC: What are your predictions for the Seahawks this year?
I definitely think we're going back to the Super Bowl. From there, it's just a matter of whether or not they give it to Marshawn Lynch in the final play.
ANDRES GONZALES PROFILE
- Hails from Olympia, Wash.
- Went to the University of Nevada - Las Vegas
- Turned pro in 2006
- Has recorded four top 10s in 2015
- Best PGA TOUR finish is a T3 at the 2015 OHL Classic at Mayakoba
- 2 Web.com Tour victories
- 2014 Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank
- 2012 Soboba Golf Classic Presented by Hub International
- 1 Mackenzie Tour victory
- 2009 Saskatchewan Open