Cheyenne Woods is still seeking that illusive first victory after four years on the LPGA Tour. Even without a LPGA Tour victory, Cheyenne Woods is a well-respected 27-year-old athlete who has established herself on the LPGA Tour. In addition to her golf abilities, Cheyenne has developed tremendous interview skills. Golf writers have used dozens of complementary adjectives to describe her, but “smart,” “charming” and “articulate” are always near the top of the list.

Early on in her professional golf career members of the media chased Cheyenne Woods because she is related to Tiger Woods. (Tiger’s dad, Earl Woods, is Cheyenne’s grandfather. Her father, Earl Woods, Jr., is Tiger’s half-brother.) The intriguing family connection initiated plenty of interviews, but in the end Cheyenne’s personality, charm and brains won the day. Graduating from Wake Forest University in 2011 with a degree in Communications, Ms. Woods feels completely comfortable in front of a television camera or a group of reporters and writers. She answers each question completely with a thoughtful response. While covering all the bases during interviews, the poised Woods maintains eye contact and a pleasant pearl-white smile. The surname recognition attracts the audience’s attention, but the warm communication skills keep her audience focused – without help from Tiger.

During her whirlwind visit of the Twin Cities media outlets, Ms. Woods did her job and stayed on point. She consistently delivered the message that Renee DeLosh, Championship Director of the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, expected. “The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is not just another women’s golf tournament, it is one of five Major Championships on the LPGA Tour. The 2019 Championship will attract the strongest field of women golfers that golf fans in Minnesota have even seen. Tickets are a bargain starting at $20 for practice rounds and $30 for Championship rounds.”

When asked about her collegiate career at Wake Forest, Woods, who set the record for the lowest scoring average in Wake Forest’s history, spoke of her relationship with teammates, “We were really a tight group when we were teammates. Even now, I text with or talk to one or more of the girls almost every day. In addition to my teammates, a unique bond has developed among Wake Forest golfers, both the men and women. We follow each other’s progress in golf and in life.”

Cheyenne grew up in Arizona, where she led her high school team to three state championships. When it came to picking a college, Cheyenne said, “I wanted to experience something different. Play different kinds of golf courses and grow to understand a different community. I knew that the Atlantic Coast Conference was a great women’s golf conference. On my first visit to the campus, I knew that Wake Forest was the school for me.” Cheyenne did not mention that as a senior she was an NCAA All American. She was selected three-times as an All-ACC team member.

Cheyenne’s traveling companion is a very cute little dog named Reece. During the extensive round of interviews Reece, a two-year-old Maltese Yorkie, sat calmly under the table. Cheyenne and her dog seem to share the same relaxed personality.

Along with her Callaway golf clubs, Cheyenne was transporting the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship trophy from stop to stop. Cheyenne explained that the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is one of her favorite tournaments. “I just finished playing in my third KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. I must say that the KPMG is the best run tournament on the LPGA Tour.”

When questioned about what makes the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship so superior she smiled and said, “Several reasons: First, we play only the finest championship golf courses, like Hazeltine. They are always in remarkable condition. But it goes beyond the golf course. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship’s management team and the wonderful volunteers treat us (players) very special. Everything we do, everywhere we go, we are treated first class. The only women’s golf tournament that compares is the Evian Championship played in France each year. The feeling is similar.”

The brief press stop was Cheyenne’s first trip to Minnesota. Her busy schedule did not allow her to see or play historic Hazeltine, site of the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. When asked about how the women on the LPGA Tour felt about the opportunity to compete on Hazeltine National Golf Club, Cheyenne responded, “We are extremely excited to have this wonderful opportunity to play the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at the historic venue. The 2019 Championship will be the 11^th championship golf event that Hazeltine has hosted.

Dressed in a Nike outfit, Woods was asked about her sponsors. “Since I started playing junior golf tournaments, I have always worn Nike. Then, when I moved on to college, Wake Forest was a Nike school. I just feel good wearing Nike! But I am especially honored to be one of a very few women professionals chosen to represent Nike as a Brand Ambassador. In addition to Nike, my other two sponsors are Bridgestone (golf balls) and Rolex. It is an honor to represent these three great companies as a professional golfer.”

Cheyenne Woods spoke in glowing terms about KPMG’s commitment to women’s issues. She was very familiar with the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit held in conjunction with each KPMG Women’s PGA Championships. Each day of the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit guest speakers, from all walks of life, give inspiration together with personal success stories. The 2018 KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit in Chicago featured Condoleezza Rice as keynote speaker. Ms. Woods, who has attended sessions of the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit, reported that several LPGA players also attended various sessions.

Ms. Woods was asked about her future goals. “My goal is to win a tournament on the LPGA Tour. Everyday I’m working very hard on my ball striking, but I am currently focused on picking up a shot or two per round. In the end, winning golf tournaments is about putting.”

Cheyenne was asked what she might be doing if she were not a golf professional. “I have a degree in communications and some experience as a television commentator. I suppose that if I were not on the Tour, I would be doing something in television.”

Cheyenne Woods has proven her abilities to communicate effectively. The next step is to win a Championship on the LPGA Tour. Maybe her first victory will be the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship June 18 – 23, 2019.

How remarkable that would be if Cheyenne were to win at Hazeltine where her famous uncle, Tiger, came so close, but could not get it done?