Exclusive interview: Win McMurry

Last updated: 14th April 2009

As host of PGA TOUR Today Win McMurry is the face of pgatour.com, introducing the daily round-up show that keeps fans bang up-to-date with the latest action and the hottest news.

For golf fans outside of the States, however, Win is a bit of a mystery girl. Is she just a news-reader? Or a genuine golfer and golf fan?

Golf365 sent Matt Cooper on a mission to find out.

Golf365: Hi Win - You were brought up in Wilmington, North Carolina. Golf365 was a fan of Dawson's Creek, the TV show set and filmed in the town. So tell us, were you more of a Joey or a Jen?

Win McMurry: Nice job with the research! Wilmington is a beautiful town and has been the setting for many movies and TV shows. I actually was an extra a few times in Dawson's Creek, which was a blast! Joey or Jen ... hmm, I think I have to go with Jen. But maybe I'm more a combination of both. I played a lot of sports growing up, but Jen had much more of a gregarious personality, more of an extrovert, and I can identify with her in that respect.

Golf365: We understand you were on the high school golf team. What was the highlight of your time on the team?

Win McMurry: I was not very good and was definitely not a "starting player" on our team. But it was a fun experience to improve my game while also mingling with my friends on the range.

Golf365: What handicap do you play off and what's the strength of your game?

Win McMurry: Ha, ha ... wouldn't you like to know! I've been working on my game a lot over the last three months and my ball striking is pretty strong. I'm never going to be an LPGA player, but I'm trying to get my game back into shape.

Golf365: Your website reports that you're a Tar Heel - could you explain to those of us on this side of the Atlantic what a Tar Heel is?

Win McMurry: Sure! Well, I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The athletic teams as well as the students are known as Tar Heels. But the nickname is also applied to North Carolina natives as well as the state. The origin of the term "Tar Heel" comes from a story from the Civil War. According to legend, the soldiers of North Carolina held valiant against the Union troops as if they had tar on their heels (tar was a major export from our state). General Robert E. Lee said, "God bless the Tar-heel boys," and that is how the term was born and has ever since been a source of pride for North Carolinians.

Golf365: You worked for CBS Sports in New York after university - were you reporting on golf alone or on other sports as well?

Win McMurry: I helped cover many sports for the CBS Sports broadcasts. My first time working in the CBS Sports studio, I worked on the research team for NFL football (that's American football, not soccer), but I also did college football and NCAA basketball in addition to coverage of the PGA TOUR.

Golf365: How did you get the job presenting PGA TOUR Today?

Win McMurry: My job with CBS Sports' coverage of the PGA TOUR positioned me for my role as host of PGA TOUR Today. It was that experience combined with my passion for golf, my work with WCBS-TV in New York, and my Bachelor of Arts degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UNC-Chapel Hill that gained me the position. I sent my composite reel of my on-camera work along with my resume to the PGA TOUR, and then called and followed-up in hopes of getting an interview with PGA TOUR Productions. They eventually invited me down and I was offered the job after an interview and screen test/audition.

Golf365: You're now based in Ponte Vedra, Florida. So which state is the best for golf - New York or Florida?

Win McMurry: New York definitely has it's share of top championship courses (there are two events in the NY area this year-the US Open at Bethpage Black and The Barclays at Liberty National Golf Club), but there is no question Florida is the best state for golf. For one, the weather allows courses to stay open all year-round. The PGA TOUR plays five events in Florida and the state has more golf courses than any other, however NY is fifth on the list.

Golf365: Have you played TPC Sawgrass since you've been in Ponte Vedra? And, if you have, did you hit the green at 17 - and what did you score?

Win McMurry: Yes, I have played TPC Sawgrass and in fact am out on the property about three times a week. I did hit 17 ... but not with my first ball. My score? Well ... it was close to 100 ...

Golf365: Working at PGA TOUR HQ is a dream job for a golfer. Is it everything you expected?

Win McMurry: It is fantastic. The PGA TOUR is a wonderful organization, not just because I get to watch golf everyday, but because of its loyalty and commitment to the community. One thing I was surprised about was how much the TOUR really gives back-not just here in Ponte Vedra, but at every TOUR stop throughout the year. We have donated over $1 billion US dollars to charities across the country. In fact, the back of our business cards read: "2,000 Charities, One Million Stories, One Goal: Giving Back. Giving Back ... The Heart of the PGA TOUR."

Golf365: You seem pretty hot with stats on the show. Are you a secret stat guru or have you got a team of geeks behind the scenes?

Win McMurry: I do them all myself, however, I'm lucky to have lots of tools at my disposal. I use PGATOUR.com and the media guide for player background and quick facts, Shot Tracker and Shotlink data for yardages and stats, but also incorporate information from many other sources.

Golf365: You must have interviewed and met many players. Who have been the nice guys?

Win McMurry: Camilo Villegas is not only one of the top up-and-coming players on TOUR, he also has a great personality. And who doesn't enjoy a Will Mackenzie or Boo Weekley interview? Marc Turnesa, who won in Las Vegas, is one of the most humble guys out there and has an amazing golf heritage. Veterans Tom Lehman, Stewart Cink, and Rocco Mediate are also players that I have great respect for and have enjoyed having the opportunity to interview.

Golf365: "McMurry" suggests Scottish heritage - have you ever travelled over here for the British Open?

Win McMurry: I have travelled to England and Scotland, but have never been to the Open. Last year I woke up at 6am to watch live coverage here in the States before I went into the studio to report on each round. What is it about the British Open that is so mesmerizing?

Golf365: A few quick ones now ...

Favourite players on TOUR: Tiger Woods, Camilo Villegas, Vijay Singh, Rocco Mediate, Fred Couples

Favourite European players on TOUR: Right now I really like following Rory McIlroy. But I also like Luke Donald, and Swedes Carl Petterson and Richard S. Johnson. I witnessed a Justin Rose ace at the 2007 Barclays, the first ever event in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, and he gave me the ball ... ever since I've been a fan of him as well.

Favourite major: Difficult to pick. I think it would have to be the Masters.

Favourite PGA TOUR event: The Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, NC. It's a "home game" of sorts and the course is absolutely beautiful and my friends and family always attend.

Favourite course: Torrey Pines

Favourite food: Mexican food. I love tacos!

Favourite music: Jack Johnson, Emery and O.A.R.

Favourite film: Tin Cup, The Shawshank Redemption, and Serendipity

Favourite TV show: 24 and Grey's Anatomy

Your dream four-ball: I'd love to play with Tiger Woods ... but after reading the book The Match by Mark Frost, I'd love to re-create that four-ball match and witness Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Ken Venturi, and Harvie Ward play Cypress Point.

Golf365: A final question, Win - you're doing very well in the pgatour.com Expert Picks Standings so can we have your expert opinion on who will win the Majors in 2009?

Win McMurry: Tiger will win. I could definitely see a surprise and a new major champion like Rory McIlroy or Camilo Villegas. And Paddy might not part with the Claret Jug that he keeps on his kitchen counter!

Golf365: Thanks for chatting with us, Win, and good luck for the rest of 2009.

Win McMurry: Thank you.