I honestly thought I was going to win a major championship quicker than what I did, but it clearly took a little bit longer than expected.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The first win came very quick, and I didn't know what it meant to win a major championship. I was a teenager, I was very young. I didn't know what I was doing. I just needed some time to get settled in on the tour.
I wish I could say it's easy, but honestly, to get ready for a big championship is not as easy as it seems.
Although it's only the beginning of the championship, I am very surprised at my capability.
Somebody asked me - you know, how come it took you so long to win a national championship? And I said, 'I'm a slow learner; but you notice when I learn something, I have it down pretty good.'
It wasn't until '79 I won my first amateur championship, and then, by '81, I was 14, and I won my first world championship, which was amazing to me, and in a very real sense, that was the first real victory I had.
Something I should have achieved quite easily took me a long time to get around to.
Growing up, I always dreamed of winning a major championship.
All these nice people saying I'm going to be world champion won't make me any faster, you have to believe it yourself.
I think what drove me insane for a long time is feeling like I hadn't earned most of what I achieved because it came so fast.
I remember in the first part of the race I was sixth and I could have gone quicker, but I had to go slow. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.
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