5 questions with Utah Jazz guard Kyle Korver News Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz guard Kyle Korver played in the Utah Men's State Amateur golf tournament this past week at Valley View Golf Course in Layton. Korver received a special exemption, but after shooting a 74 at the Media Day a week earlier, he could only manage rounds of 86 and 87 during the tournament. Mike Sorensen asked him about his golf experience and the upcoming Jazz season. Question: How much different is it playing in a tournament, than just going out and playing for fun?

Answer: "Oh, night and day. One, they get the course ready for it and the greens are super fast. I don't play on greens this fast when I play during the week. So you have to get used to that. That's the biggest thing for sure. You can drive all you want, but if you can't make a putt, you can't score. It's just different. They speed up the greens in a tournament, and the putts just feel different." Question: What were your nerves like? How does it compare to playing Basketball? Answer: "I was way more nervous for this, sure. I was up at 6 and I couldn't sleep any more. I tossed and turned for an hour, so I came out here. There are certain games during the season you get more nervous, but you play so many games during the season. This is only my second tournament. There's people watching, and you guys (are taking pictures) of me under the tree. I know there's going to be moments like that, so you get a little bit more nervous I think in Basketball, I'm a little more confident in my skills so it makes it a little more easier to go out there and perform." Question: You and (Carlos) Boozer and (Mehmet) Okur have all recently opted in for next year with the Jazz . What do you think about everybody coming back? Answer: "We're excited. I've always felt we had a really good team if we could stay healthy. Hopefully this year, people can stay healthy. We'll have to see what happens with Paul (Millsap) still up in the air. I think at the beginning of last year we had a lot of high hopes for our team. I don't see why we wouldn't be good this year. A lot of teams are making trades and getting better and we feel like if we're healthy and playing well, we'll be right there with them." Question: Do you ever look at golf like maybe a second career for you when you get done with Basketball? Answer: "You know, me and Deron (Williams) always joke about it, playing the Senior Tour someday. We play together a lot. But right now it's just a joke." Question: What are your plans for the rest of the summer? Answer: "I'm going to hang out until the USA tryouts the 22nd of this month and get ready for that. I worked out this morning before I came here. Then I've got a couple of family things, a wedding and a vacation and a little break, and I think I'll play in the Utah Open again. Then I'll get ready for the season. It's creeping up."