It’s been a big 12 months for Steven Jeffress and it all began when he hit the very first shot of the inaugural Fiji International.

A Tour Professional for 13 years, Jeffress was a regular on
the PGA Tour of Australasia and often featured on tournament leader boards. He
had even competed in a major championship, The Open in 2013.

Jeffress was bestowed the honour of hitting the very first
tee shot of the Fiji International, ensuring he would always hold a place in
the history books, no matter how he fared on course over the next 72 holes.

However, that tee time seemed to be a stroke of genius from
tournament organisers as Jeffress also went on to hit the very last shot of the
tournament, the winning putt on Sunday afternoon.

"It was obviously a massive honour to be able to hit the
first tee shot and to be able to hit the last shot made it better obviously
because I won," said Jeffress.

"But even if I hadn’t won, hitting the first tee shot in a
brand new event, only one person can do that and I was lucky enough that it was
me."

"It was sort of a fairytale tournament for me."

Since then Jeffress has competed in some of the biggest
tournaments in international golf, played some of the most famous and hallowed
courses in the world and rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous. Opportunities
all opened up to him from winning the Fiji International.

"Things are different, on a personal level at home, winning
a good amount of money has made a massive difference to my position in life
with house payments and those sorts of things," said Jeffress who picked up
over AU$190,000 for his victory.

"On the golf course everything has changed just that little
bit; it’s hard to explain because I have never done it before."

"There is a new level of respect from other people at
tournaments and they always mention the win, so it keeps the positive feelings
coming back and I guess you get to re-live it a couple of times," added Jeffress.

"But the opportunities I have received are amazing; I get to
play the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the WGC – HSBC Champions at the
end of the year. Plus, I have already played the WGC – Cadillac Championship
and I received an invite to the Japan Tour Championship. So the win is
definitely giving me opportunity and that is what you are really after in this
game." 

While he may now have the opportunity to compete in those
four tournaments which combined are worth more than AU$33 million, Jeffress has
stayed true to his roots.

One of the most humble men on Tour, he is always popular
with other players and fans and has continued to compete successfully in
pro-ams in Queensland which according to Jeffress has helped keep his game
sharp.

"Even though you win good money you can’t shut up shop
because money goes out pretty quickly in this game," added Jeffress, alluding
to the expense of travelling the world to compete in golf tournaments.

"You can win some good money if you play well enough in pro-ams
and if you enter with the right attitude."

"But they also show you where your game is at and I have
been playing quite nicely, I won a couple of events a few weeks ago. But I felt
like I left a lot out there."

Jeffress will soon turn his attention back to the Natadola
Bay Championship Golf Course as he is set to defend his Fiji International
title.

"I love Fiji, even if I hadn’t won last year I would be
looking forward to going back there," added Jeffress.

"Obviously going back as the champion makes it special and
I’m sure when I get back to Natadola a few of those memories of where I hit the
ball will come back to me and the feelings on certain parts of the course."

"Deep down I’m actually really confident of giving the title
another crack this year. I think the golf course suits my game, you need to hit
it straight and be fairly strategic."

"Hopefully when it comes to the last day I am in with a
chance to win," added Jeffress who along with the extra attention of being the
defending champion will enjoy the benefits of staying at the InterContinental
Resort.

"I have only heard great things about the Resort, so I can’t
wait to get over there and check it out and enjoy being so close to the golf
course."

"I really don’t think the week is going to be that different
to a normal tournament other than people reminding me that I am the defending
champion. That is where the mental side of the game comes in and I just have to
stay in the moment," added Jeffress.

"I am defending champion but that was last year and this is
this year so let’s go again."

Related Links

Article / Kuchar to add star power to Fiji International – 14 August 2015
Article / Get your ticket to paradise – 16 July 2015