Operation Sports is proud to present our interview with Mike Olsen, Lead Designer of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004.

Operation Sports: Are there going to be left handed golfers in the game?

Mike Olsen: We do not have any left handed professionals, but in this year’s game we allow you to create your OWN golfer, and you can make him or her left-handed.

Operation Sports: How many new characters will be added this year?

Mike Olsen: We have added 5 new PGA TOUR professionals: John Daly, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott, Rich Beem and Justin Rose

Operation Sports: Is there any information about the 52-week season mode and if there will be Majors this year?

Mike Olsen: The PGA TOUR Season mode features 10 years of full season play. There are 4 “major” tournaments each season, as well as other marquee events such as THE PLAYERS Championship and THE TOUR Championship.

Operation Sports: Will there be any real-time weather changes? Overcast, rain delay, wind picks up, etc...?

Mike Olsen: Absolutely. You can set the weather to a variety of settings, and a random setting where the weather may change from hole to hole.

And, with the addition of Real Time Events (special events triggered by your consoles internal clock), specific challenges will actually be trigger weather based on the scheduled time of year.

Operation Sports: Will their be more pro's and less fictional players because of the new career mode?

Mike Olsen: Our Career Mode was formerly called “Tiger Challenge”, but that has been replaced with several new game modes, including the PGA TOUR Season, World Tour, and Real Time Events, to name a few. Of those modes, only the World Tour mode requires you to play against A.I. opponents, and there are 15 PGA TOUR golfers and 12 fictional players in that mode to test your mettle.

Operation Sports: Will there be more real tournaments and courses this year?

Mike Olsen: Five new real courses have been added. They are Bethpage Black, Pinehurst No. 2, Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Kapalua Plantation, and Sahalee Country Club. 2 new fictional courses have been created—one set in a Japanese tea garden setting, and another through the Australian Outback.

There are several real PGA TOUR events that are featured in Season mode.

Operation Sports: What about more four round tournaments?

Mike Olsen: Just like on the PGA TOUR, all our tournaments in Season Mode are four rounds.

Operation Sports: Can we have the ability to save in round?

Mike Olsen: You will have the option to save at the conclusion of each round.

Operation Sports: What will the "tour mode" be like?

Mike Olsen: The PGA TOUR Season mode features 10 years of full season play. There are 4 “major” tournaments each season, as well as other marquee events such as THE PLAYERS Championship and THE TOUR Championship.

There is statistical tracking in more than 20 categories, a money list, end of season awards, and even sponsorships by actual golf manufacturers.

Operation Sports: We would like to thank you for your time with this interview, is there anything else you would like to add?

Mike Olsen: The Create-A-Golfer feature is something that soon all games will try to imitate, but they will have a tough time succeeding. The gamer will be able to create a seemingly infinite number of unique characters.

The level of customization available for each character is incredible. You can choose from over 1,500 items in the Pro Shop to equip your golfer, including shirts, hats, pants, clubs, balls, jewelry…you can even put braces on your teeth! You will also “steal” additional items from the characters you beat and unlock unique pro shop categories as you progress. Plus, you can pick and choose which animations are your favorites from the game and add them to your character.

It’s all designed to create the ultimate personalization experience for the player. We’re sure you’ll enjoy it!