Coming off a solid freshman campaign, sophomore Farren Keenan is expected to be a major contributor to head coach John Fields lineup this season. He's already made his presence felt, going 3-1 in the Collegiate Match Play Championship, but he will be looking to regain the form that landed him third at last year's Big 12 Championship. The Middlesex, England native took a break from studying for finals and working on his game to sit down with TexasSports.com.
Favorite Golfer: Tiger Woods
Favorite Course: Sunningdale Old
Club from 165 yards: 7 iron
Clubs you use: Callaway
Ball you use: Callaway
On the fall season: I definitely enjoyed the fall season, although it doesn't feel like we have played much golf compared to the spring (my first semester). The tournaments we played have been fun and it was good to be competitive in all of them. If we would have gone a couple of steps further, we could have won at least one of them. The Topy Cup was a great experience playing on different types of grass and having to cope with all the traveling. I think that will stand us in good stead for the future.
On how the fall effects the spring: I think being around the lead will have a very positive effect on the team in the spring, but the spring is where all the golf is played. I feel that we have a very legitimate chance of winning the big one in the spring. We just need to pull together and all play solid golf the same week.
On his expectations for the team/himself: I have high expectations for both the team and myself this spring. I feel that we have a very legitimate shot at the national championship and many other tournaments if we all play the golf that we are capable of. It's just a matter of putting it all together at the same time. I will be working very hard this winter on a variety of aspects of my game. The weather back in England will make it tough to get the same amount of work done as I would if I was still in Austin, but I'm going to do everything I can to improve and get ready for the spring.
On what he is looking to improve: The main thing I will be working on over the winter break is my strength and fitness. The courses that we play in college and will play in the pro game are getting longer and longer, so it is imperative that you can get the ball out there, therefore I have to get stronger and more flexible. We have a great strength and fitness coach in Trey Zepeda and he has got us on a great training program, so it's a case of doing that more often.
On what he'll be doing for the rest of the semester: Obviously with finals coming up, I'll be spending a lot of my time studying. Other than that, I'll be out at the UT Golf Club working on my game or working with Trey in the weight room.
On coach Fields and coach Keasler: Both coach Fields and coach Keasler are very supportive and will bend over backwards to help you if you need it, which is great. They are very motivational in their own way and are great at getting the team pumped up before we play. It's also great to have two coaches that you can talk to about anything, and that you can have some banter with. I think that adds a special element that many other teams don't have. They are not just coaches but good friends too.
On having a teammate from England: It's great to have Millsy (Matthew Mills) on the team; it certainly helped when I was settling in here at Texas. We were good friends before we came to Texas so we get along very well. It just makes you feel a little bit closer to home, even though we are both miles away. Plus it adds some English spice to the team chemistry!
On his advice for the younger players: My only real advice was to simply enjoy the experience. There is a lot of pressure that comes with playing for UT, and there are a lot of people who have their eyes on you. If you have as much fun with it as possible and enjoy the experience then you will ultimately play better.
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