Richie McCaw: Former All Blacks captain on becoming a New Zealand Golf Open ambassador

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Pine from Newstalk ZB.

Jason Pine (0:06)

There are a number of New Zealand Golf Open ambassadors playing in the Pro-Am. We've heard from Ricky Ponting. Let's bring in another one. Double World Cup-winning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who is a New Zealand Golf Open ambassador this time around. Good to chat to you, Richie. How are you enjoying your time at the New Zealand Open?

Richie McCaw (0:24)

Loving being here. My golf is certainly nothing to write home about, but it's a pretty cool event, and very privileged to be involved.

Jason Pine (0:35)

Is golf something that you have played a lot of? Richard, did you play much golf during your rugby playing days?

Richie McCaw (0:41)

I did a little bit early on. We had a crew in the Crusaders, used to get out on the odd occasion, but I was never very good, so I didn't really get too enthusiastic. But a bunch of mates these days that absolutely love their golf. We have a weekend away once a year. I've turned up being sort of the worst golfer, so I've tried to get a little bit better, get a couple of lessons, those sort of things. But yeah, it's very hit and miss. I can be on fire for a couple of holes, and then go to bits pretty quickly. So, but yeah, I do enjoy it. And it's one of those things that, you know, you got to put a bit of time into it if you want to get better.

Jason Pine (1:16)

You've just described every single golfer listening to the show, Richie, you know, on fire for a couple of holes, and then it all turns to custard. You must, though, enjoy being in one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand. How is it just sort of walking around the course there down at Millbrook?

Richie McCaw (1:32)

I was playing with, I was playing with Sam, I forget his last name, but the pro from Aussie, he's just my mate. Every time I come here, I just can't believe the spectacular setting in view to play golf in. And I think it's Kiwis you perhaps take for granted, but it's an amazing setting and immaculate course. And, you know, you know, having standing there beside these pros, having to hit your ball feels very cool.

Jason Pine (1:59)

Yeah. And I spoke to Ricky Ponting earlier and asked him this question. He's been involved, obviously, in massive cricket matches. You've been involved in the biggest rugby matches. New Zealand's ever played World Cup finals and such like. I'm not sure if you got nervous or not before those. But did you get nervous on the first tee at events like this?

Richie McCaw (2:19)

Yeah, like people ask me that. And yeah, I get nervous. I got nervous before games of rugby. But you kind of back yourself. You had some some knowledge and some skill to be able to handle it. When you when you get those sort of feelings and you're actually not sure what what to do with a golf stick, the old everything goes tense. And today on the first tee, at least I made contact, but it wasn't it wasn't the best shot. But jeez, when you even goes quiet and standing over it, some funny thoughts go through your head, I'll tell you.

Jason Pine (2:47)

I bet. And you're one of a number of New Zealand Golf Open ambassadors down there. I mentioned Ricky Ponting, Tom Abercrombie, Hayden Padden, Grant Elliott, Jeff Wilson, Izzy Dag, who no doubt has a bit to say, one of your former World Leagues teammates. Are you enjoying the friendly competition among the other ambassadors?

Richie McCaw (3:03)

Yeah, great fun. And I got to play with Ricky Ponting yesterday, who's obviously a classy cricketer, but a classy golfer as well. Like, oh, he's on the scratch handicap pretty much. And yeah, that was that was very cool. And I give Izzy Dag plenty of stick. He likes to back himself. But he still he's told me the day I beat him playing golf today, he gives up. So that's a challenge for me to keep working at.

Jason Pine (3:31)

That's great motivation to make Izzy Dag give up golf. On the on the course in terms of the professionals, Richie, obviously, we've we've waited a while for a New Zealand winner, the last one back in 2017 How good would it be to see a New Zealand winner win the New Zealand Open sometime tomorrow?

Richie McCaw (3:49)

Oh, it would be awesome. It would be awesome. And, you know, I don't follow golf enough to know all the pedigree of all the guys. But for everyone to say, it's a pretty strong field. And, you know, I know John Hart and the organizers making sure they make it now. And they love to see a Kiwi winning it again. So, yeah, it's I guess we'll wait and see. But, yeah, it's not going to be able to blame the course or the knackers in because it's absolutely perfect.