Senior Brian Prouty of the Arizona’s men’s golf team fired a first-round 62 Monday at the Ping Arizona Intercollegiate tournament at Arizona National Golf Course. His opening-round score tied an Arizona school record for a single round. Prouty finished with a final score of 199 (-14) for the tournament, earning first place in the individual competition. It was Prouty’s first tournament since having surgery on torn cartilage in his left wrist almost five months ago. The Wildcat caught up with Prouty after his win to talk about his success, superstitions and special talents.

Wildcat: You shot a 62 in the first round, equaling the school record. Your name is in the books now, how does that feel?

Prouty: It feels really good. There’s a nice class of names to be amongst.

W: Do you have any superstitions? A lucky ball marker or something?

P: Actually, my parents just redid their kitchen, and they found an old coin that I had used for years. It’s a Canadian two-dollar coin. I don’t know why I like it, but I started using it again, and I shot 62-67-70. So I think it’s going to be my ball marker for awhile.

W: Growing up, who turned you on to the game of golf?

P: My parents introduced me to the game, and I just picked it up from there. Over the last three years, my swing coach has been Michael Haywood over at Tucson Country Club, and with his help, I’ve been able to turn my game around and get it to where it is now.

W: Is there anything special you do before your matches? Eat a certain food or listen to certain music?

P: Nope. Just kind of whatever does it.

W: Do you have a certain pro that you’ve idolized or looked up to?

P: You’ve got to love Tiger Woods. You’ve got to love his game. I’ve also loved the way Jim Furyk manages the round. The rest of the players I just watch because I love watching golf.

W: What’s something that most people don’t know about you? Any special talents?

P: Special talents? I play golf. (Laughs.) No. I’m just a local boy chasing a dream.

– Interview by Daniel Harry