The 28-year-old Texan has finished in the top 10 on five occasions already this year. (Allsport)

The University of Texas graduate has earned more than $2 million in each of the last two years and reached seven figures in the last four. He played in eight PGA TOUR events as an amateur and made five cuts, then finished third at the Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic in his third pro start and made enough money to bypass qualifying school.

Justin Leonard: Hello everyone! This is my first time, so bear with me!

Question: How do you feel heading into the Memorial (Tournament)? What makes it such a special event?

Justin Leonard: I feel pretty good about my game. I have good results the last few weeks. I feel comfortable here and won the 1992 U.S. Amateur here. Being Jack Nicklaus' tournament it holds a special place for all of us.

Question: Justin, can you tell us a bit about the swing changes you recently made and how they have affected your overall game?

Justin Leonard: For one, my setup position is different. I have more weight on my right at address. This eliminates the lateral movement from before. From there I am able to shorten my swing and hit the ball more solid. My swing is more consistent day to day because I have eliminated so many of the timing issues I had before.

Question: What do you think of the new technology in golf equipment? For example, my friend just bought a set of new Callaway clubs and he shot in the 70s but never broke 85 before.

Justin Leonard: I think technology is good for the game. It enables amateurs to go out and play better than ever. Congrats to your friend, and I hope he continues to break 80!

Question: That you are hitting your prime in an era that rewards long hitters more than ever rather than 10 years ago when you would have several more wins and likely another major or two.

Justin Leonard: First of all, I don't feel I am in my prime yet. And I hope I don't reach it for a while! I don't feel I am at any disadvantage to the long hitters when it comes to the majors. There are certain courses that suit the long hitters, however, I have always found ways to compete in different conditions.

Question: You can only have one of the following. Which would be more important? The best clubs, the best ball, or the best caddy?

Justin Leonard: The best caddy. A great caddy can make up for a lot! The clubs and balls right now are all very similar. A good caddy can make a bigger difference.

Question: What are three keys to scoring well?

Justin Leonard: Driving it straight, a good wedge player, and putting. That makes the game a lot easier.

Question: Which is the toughest test of golf on TOUR?

Justin Leonard: I would say the U.S. Open because of the courses we play and the conditions we play under. Also, knowing it is the national championship adds to the difficulty.

Question: How do you feel about the "long" putters some players are using? Seems to me they should be just as illegal as some of the new drivers.

Justin Leonard: To be honest, I see nothing wrong with the "long" putters. It still requires a good stroke. And I don't feel it is an unfair advantage.

Question: Justin, do you still continue to work with Randy Smith? Rumor has it you are working some with Butch Harmon.

Justin Leonard: I am currently working with both instructors. As well as working quite a bit on my own. They are both very good instructors and have helped me quite a bit. They have helped me understand my swing better, and now I am working on that on my own.

Question: I've seen those ads with you playing as a kid ... how early did you start and who taught you the most?

Justin Leonard: I began playing when I was 5 or 6. My Dad taught me the game.

Question: Which part of your game do you work on most and why?

Justin Leonard: I wouldn't say I work on one part of my game more than any other. I think it varies week to week, and I work the most on what I have been struggling with. When I am playing well, I try to spend equal amounts of time on all parts of my game.

Question: Who's been your biggest rival?

Justin Leonard: I can honestly say that I don't have a rival! When playing against 150 other players, it is hard to develop that kind of one-on-one rivalry.

Question: When you are on the course, what is the one thing that distracts you the most?

Justin Leonard: Probably a lack of concentration on my part would be the biggest distraction.

Question: Fill in the blanks: The shot I LOVE to be faced with is_____? The shot I really would rather not hit if I don't have to is_____?

Justin Leonard: The shot I love to be faced with is a 95-yard sand wedge. And the one I would rather not hit is a 1-iron out of wet rough, over water, to a hard fast green, sloping away from me.

Question: Abracadabra! We make you the president of Texas-sized Golf Tours. What are the top three golf experiences you're going to book for my trip?

Justin Leonard: Augusta National, Pebble Beach and Pinehurst No. 2. Take plenty of balls and a few mulligans!

Question: You're putting well, and if it ain't broke don't fix it, but how did you wind up standing so far from the ball when you putt? Have you ever considered moving to where your eyes are over the ball and line of putt?

Justin Leonard: Putting for me is all feel, and I have putted like this as a junior golfer and never strayed too far from it. Over the years my eyes have gotten closer to the line, but I don't think I will ever be comfortable with my eyes directly over the line.

Question: Hi Justin. You seem to be playing with much more consistency these days. Does your desire to play on the Ryder Cup Team have anything to do with that?

Justin Leonard: I would not attribute that to wanting to be on the Ryder Cup team. The reason my play has improved is due to the changes I made in November. I am now feeling comfortable with those changes and finally seeing some results. It is happening at a great time of year as I try to make the Ryder Cup team.

Question: What's the typical conversation going to be like between you and your caddy this week?

Justin Leonard: First, we get the yardage to the front of the green, plus what it is to the pin. If there is a longer carry, then I will have that number as well. Then we discuss where the wind is. And finally we choose a club.

Question: Justin, nice run lately ... are hot streaks more physical or mental?

Justin Leonard: I would say they are equal parts. You can be playing well physically but mentally struggle. It is also possible to struggle with your swing but mentally make up for it.

Question: What's the most embarrassing thing we might find in your golf bag?

Justin Leonard: I can honestly say that I am not embarrassed about anything in my bag.

Question: How good of friends are you with Davis Love III and Fred Couples? Do you hang out with other golfers?

Justin Leonard: Fred and Davis are very good friends. We enjoy going out to dinner and playing practice rounds together. I am friends with a lot of guys on the PGA TOUR. And I enjoy spending time with different people.

Question: What are your goals for this year?

Justin Leonard: First and foremost is to make the Ryder Cup team. I also want to give myself more opportunities to win tournaments and give myself a chance to win majors as well. Beyond that, I want to play more consistently and find ways to keep improving.

Justin Leonard: Thanks for logging in and for making this experience easy for me! I look forward to coming back and doing this again soon. Thanks for the great questions. Keep it in the fairway!