Sky Sports golf team talk to Finnish Formula One star Heikki Kovalainen about his passion for playing and watching golf.
We talk to Finnish Formula One star Heikki Kovalainen about his passion for playing and watching golf
A former teammate of Lewis Hamilton at McLaren and now driving for Caterham in this year's F1 championship, Heikki Kovalainen has a reputation for being one of the quickest drivers around.
But, away from the F1 track, Heikki has developed a new passion - golf
Whether playing himself, or watching the big tournaments on Sky, the flying Finn has become a self-confessed golf nut and last week lined up alongside a two-time major champion in the pro-am of the Volvo World Match Play Championship.
We caught up with Heikki ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix and asked him about a different kind of driving...
Sky Sports: When did you start playing and what made you take it up?
HK: I started just over three years ago. Before that I had no interest in golf at all, I never really even thought about it. But then, in Malaysia in 2009 when preparing for the Malaysian Grand Prix, I was taken to the range and hit a couple of shots and thought 'this is quite good'. Then little by little I started to hit a few more shots and got really into it. I started to practise a bit more, play a bit more and now every time I get an opportunity I try to get a few holes in.
Sky Sports: What's your current handicap?
HK: It's 5.4. It's come down a lot but now, to improve, I really feel I'd have to spend more time on it. My swing is not good enough to go better than that. I really enjoy the game but now I've got to be patient and try not to set too high a bar.
Sky Sports: I see on Twitter you're really good friends with Ian Poulter. How did that come about?
HK: We actually met through Twitter as well. I was in Abu Dhabi and they had the Claret Jug (Open Championship trophy) there in the golf club. I took some photos and posted them on Twitter and he replied to me, saying 'where did you get your hands on that?' That's how we started the friendship and then I met him at the British Grand Prix last year. We've only known each other just over a year but we've kept in touch since then and he's really good fun. I really like him as a person and he's a great player. I've learned a lot from him.
Sky Sports: Have you actually played golf with him?
HK: Actually, we haven't played a round yet. Only on the range, hitting a few shots. We haven't had the chance, our schedules have been clashing but in the future we'll organise a game and hopefully I'll learn even more from him.
Sky Sports: Ian was defending his Volvo World Match Play title in Spain last week and I see that you played in the pro-am on the Wednesday. How did that go?
HK: It went very well. I played with Retief Goosen and the daughter of IMG founder Mark McCormack, Cathy, and everyone was making birdies. We finished third, just one shot behind the two winning groups, Garcia's and Robert Karlsson's. I really had a good time there and also met Ian and a few other golfers so it was a great event. Hopefully I can take part in it again.
Sky Sports: Apart from yourself, are there any other F1 drivers who like a game of golf?
HK: Yes, Hamilton plays sometimes. We play sometimes when we're travelling, between races. Alonso plays a bit as well. I haven't played with him yet but he's also got into golf recently. Some of the mechanics play as well and actually in our Caterham team we have a truckie called Jon Daly and, by coincidence, he plays good golf as well.
Sky Sports: When it's the week of a Formula One race, do you actually get time to play golf and does it perhaps help relax you?
HK: During the European season, I really don't get chance to get out on the course at all. I sometimes get the chance to go to the range and hit a few shots but not very often. It's more when I'm travelling in other parts of the world when we get a few more days between races that I get a better chance. But then, during the winter, I spend some time away from Finland where it's cold and we often go somewhere sunny and then I have a better chance to work a bit more on the game. That's when I try to make some improvements or changes.
Sky Sports: There have been a couple of sportsmen who have played in European Tour events e.g. tennis stars Ivan Lendl and Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Could that be an ambition for you?
HK: No (laughing), I don't think so. I would need to dedicate a lot more time to get my swing on track and my short game sharp and it's just not possible now. Even after my F1 career I don't think it's possible because I'll be too old by then (
Sky Sports: come on Heikki, you're only 30, plenty of time yet!). I'd like to do some competitions, something like that, but not on a world level I don't think.
Sky Sports: What about other pro-ams? There's obviously an excellent one at the Dunhill in Scotland when plenty of sports stars play.
HK: Yes, I'm not sure which but I'll definitely be doing a few more pro-ams on the European Tour before the end of this year which should be good fun.
Sky Sports: I understand you watch a lot of golf on the TV.
HK: Yes, I do follow all the major tournaments on the TV and internet. I keep a close eye on what's going on. I really do enjoy watching golf
Sky Sports: Do you ever have a bet on the golf?
HK: No, I haven't actually. I should probably stay away from that!
Sky Sports: We're just a few weeks away from the US Open so, as you follow the US golf quite closely, how about a prediction for that.
HK: There are a few guys who seem to be playing extremely well now so it's hard to pick a name. I think it would be great to see Poulter winning it of course. He has been playing very well so why not. I think the usual suspects will be there - Rory, Westwood, Luke Donald and for the Americans maybe Zach Johnson and Kuchar, they will be there. It will be fascinating to see who comes out on top.
Sky Sports: Apart from Poulter, do you have a favourite golfer you like to watch?
HK: Everyone loves to watch Tiger I think. Whenever he's playing, it's very interesting. Everyone is waiting to see if he hits the form he used to have. Then also Westwood and Donald, those kind of guys. And then obviously the big hitters such as Bubba Watson. I really like him because he does it his own way. He hits the kind of shots you don't think are possible. I like the people who don't follow the classic trend and do it their own way. That's fantastic. I try to do it sometimes myself and hit shots that aren't by the book. I think that's quite good fun.
Sky Sports: How about a favourite course you've played?
HK: The best one so far is probably the Abu Dhabi Golf Club where they hold the championship in January. I played it this year just before the tournament itself and it was in very, very nice condition - long rough and fast greens. I'd like to play the major courses at some point if I can fit it in the schedule and get an opportunity. It would be great to play Augusta or Pebble Beach.
Sky Sports: Have you ever played golf with your fellow Finn and two-time European Tour winner Mikko Illonen?
HK: Yes, he's a good friend of mine. I played a pro-am with him in Shanghai a few years ago, just before the Volvo European Tour event. We've actually played quite a few times and I keep in very close touch with him. He was a bit injured last year and missed half the season but he's just come back and hopefully he'll hit form again this year. He's a great player.
Sky Sports: Has he given you any tips?HK: Yes. He doesn't really want to make any big changes to my game but he'll sometimes give little tips about my posture or alignment or grip, these type of things. But he's also professional enough to know that everybody's got their own way.
Sky Sports: Finally, Heikki, if you could pick a dream fourball who would be in it?
HK: I'm a big fan of Jack Nicklaus. I've watched a lot of his videos and DVDs that he's made about his career and they're fascinating. I respect him a lot. Then I'll get Ian Poulter in there and we can have a little bet. Get my mate Mikko Ilonen and then get Tiger as well. That would be great!
Sky Sports: Thanks Heikki. Good luck for the rest of the F1 season and play well in those pro-ams!
HK: Thanks.
* Heikki Kovalainen was talking to Dave Tindall
