
One day a few years ago following his round at Pebble Beach, I interviewed Lopez for about 20 minutes at the practice putting green in front of The Lodge at Pebble Beach, the course's on-site resort and restaurant.
I provided the introduction to each of the following questions and Lopez provided the quick-witted answers:
Growing up I thought I would be . . . An x-ray technician. It just seemed like something you could do to be in the medical field without putting in the years to be a doctor. It sounded good when you were trying to pick-up chicks.
The best idea I ever had was . . . To speak from the heart and not just say things people wanted to hear.
My favorite expression is . . . If you don't like it, don't look at it.
I'm most proud of . . . My family because I didn't really have one growing up. I have a great wife and a good kid.
It's not true that . . . Money can buy happiness.
The world would be a better place if . . We judged people by what they're like on the inside.
When I turned 21 I . . Went out to this place called Tips in Newhall (California). It was a truck stop that had exotic drinks. I ended up laying in the back of a flatbed truck and on the way home I remember (looking up) and seeing the street lights passing by.
There is no shortcut to . . . Success.
Most people would be surprised to know . . . That I am a very compassionate person and that I give a lot of money to people who are less fortunate and without seeking any kind of attention.
All successful people need . . . To be gracious and not pompous. It doesn't make you a better person just because you have wealth.
The best day of my life was . . . When I met my wife.
When I meet someone the first thing I notice is . . Whether they make eye contact with me.
If I could trade places with one person for one day it would be . . . Tigers Woods, just to see what that feels like to be mental strong and physically strong at the same time. I've yet to put both of them together.
My worst vice is . . . I'm stubborn.
As an athlete I was . . . Terrible. And the older I get the more I realized I sucked. I wasn't being slighted for being left off all-star teams. I really couldn't play.
My finest athletic moment was . . . Sinking a 12-foot putt on the 14th green at Pebble Beach to put me on my number to make the cut my first year (2004 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am).
My first job was . . . As an employee of H. Salt Fish & Chips. When people I knew came in I'd hide in the back until they left. I was 15 years old, and I quit the first day of high school when my friends found out I worked there.
My life's mantra is . . . F-it. You know, let it go or let's do it.
I've found the biggest waste of time is . . . Acting class . . . go by instinct.
When I need to relax I . . . Go some place quiet and take a nap.
The one thing that really gets me angry is . . . Negativity.
My ideal foursome would include . . . Myself, Carlos Santana (Even though he doesn't play golf), Tiger Woods and Elvis Pressley.
The best advice I ever received is . . . Be bold.
The biggest disappointment in my life was . . . The people who I thought were my friends.
The thing I covet most is . . . Going home. I love going home.