This week Blair O'Neal will tee off against Derek on June 29, at 9 p.m. EST, in the final challenge on Big Break. The winner will claim a cash prize of $100,000.
I had the chance to touch base with Blair this weekend before the final show airs. One thing I'm sure about, Blair can keep up with any guy on the golf course and she has nerves of steel that I greatly admire. She is also a delight to talk to and very down to earth.
Is the show the same as we see on TV?
In the beginning of the season, some players were shown a lot more than others. We talked so much during those interviews, but the more you talked, and the more you talked about other people, the more air time you got. Brian and Brenda like to talk a lot so you probably got to see more of them in the beginning of the series. But it's interesting to see the different personalities on the show and how they perceived the experience. It's fun to watch now, and the players are pretty much as they appear.
During the filming the hardest thing was really trying to be in control of my thoughts and emotions. Watching it now I think I did that pretty well. It is so intense. The two and a half weeks of filming felt like two months. It was physically and mentally exhausting.
How is Big Break like competitive tour golf and how is it different?
On Big Break there is a lot more pressure for sure, with all the cameras and you are playing for a huge prize. In a tournament you have 18 holes and if you mess one up you can still get back in the game. With Big Break, one shot can be your chance at elimination.
They are similar in that you need to take one shot at a time. Some say it is not like real golf, but in real golf you need the mentality of Big Break because every shot is so important.
How did you stay so cool and calm?
I was really excited to be on the show, but I knew I had one chance to do well. I just focused on myself and didn't care, or think, about what others were doing or saying. I put everything I had into each shot and I didn't want to leave with any regrets. I wanted to leave knowing that I gave 100%. I tried to stay really mentally focused on good thoughts. It really is about controlling your emotions.
My college coach used to call it the "Blair Bubble." I just stay really focused on my game. Staying in that mentality is what works for me.
Brenda recently made a comment about you being as boring as a piece of cardboard. How do you respond to such remarks?
I think she was a little upset because we weren't talking during the round. She was exactly right, I wasn't interested in talking with her for nine holes. I was focused on my golf game and getting a step closer to winning $100,000. If I want to mark a six-inch putt, I will. I'm going to do what works for me and I have one chance at this. In the end, I won the match, so what I was doing worked.
Brenda is the opposite. I think she relaxes by talking with people and joking around. But I think some of her comments made her sound bad.
How cold was it up there?
It was freezing. I would wear three layers to stay warm. It was really cool in the 50's and windy and rainy.
How different is your life since you've been on Big Break?
Busy, but good. I signed with a new management firm, Gaylord Sports Management. They represent some great players like Phil Mickelson and Angela Stanford. I've had a ton of interviews. I'm looking forward to playing some more pro-ams, getting sponsorships for the tour, and meeting more new people.
What's next for you?
It's all about Q-school in September. I'm working on some swing changes and short game. I'm playing some tournaments here and there. After Q-school, I will be back on the Cactus Tour getting ready for the final stage of Q-school in December.
If you missed my first interviews with Blair, you can read them here.
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9 comments:
Its been fun to follow Blair's adventure on your site. You presented a real personal touch.
I've never seen Big Break, but I just saw your vid of her, which prompted me to stop kidding myself thinking I have a shot at Stephanie Wie and start kidding myself thinking I have a shot at Blair O'Neal.
Kind of a Blair Switch Project.
Superb interview, Heather!
I've liked Blair and enjoyed her on BB, not because she is beautiful (which she obviously is) but instead because she has a cool moxie on the course.
Thanks for putting this entry together!
You held this Blair O'Neal/Big Break interview yourself, Heather.
I can only assume that Blair doesn't brake for animals, thus Eeyore and Roo, feeling somewhat run-down, called in squashed.
Where can my sister Naria and I send flowers?
First class, Heather. I've never watched Big Break, but, my son does and loves it. I have always wondered the time frame it took to actually film the series (2 1/2 weeks).
By the way, that young lady is rather attractive, isn't she..??
Thanks for the fantastic interview, Heather, and the outstanding video montage! The music rocks, as always. It seems that Blair O'Neal has what it takes to be on the golf circuit for the long haul. What a great name too!
Great golfer. Alluring model. If Blair took a few acting lessons, no doubt she'd rock that too.
She's kind of a utility Blair.
I'm betting she'll keep Derek at bay, his clubs landing on eBay.
Her motivation being a record-setting third interview with Heather Jones.
Hell, that's three more than Tiger.
Nice interview. I love to hear more about Blair, who is smart, stylish, sexy and a super-duper golfer!
Too bad her game fell apart in the final, but that's the way that it goes sometime. Derek Gillespie is an accomplished golfer who knows final nine tournament pressure and would have been difficult to beat no matter how well Blair had played.
Hopefully, she'll use that as a learning experience and as a growing experience in her journey through pro golf. She certainly earned a lot of fans for herself through Big Break.
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