Q: Mr. Morris, where were you raised?

Rodney: I was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii

Q: When were you first introduced to pool? By whom?

Rodney: I walked into Hawaiian Brian's Billiards with two of my friends in 1987 and just started playing pool with them and fell in love with the game immediately.

Q: What is your regular practice routine? Where do you play?

Rodney: I practice in Houston, Texas at a pool hall near where I'm living right now. I don't have a routine because of my two small children, but I just try to practice when I can get some free time. Usually a couple of hours, four of five days a week. A week before a big event, I'll play about four to six hours every day.

Q: There is lots of pressure in pool….how do you get your head in the game before a match?

Rodney: I just practice and try to trick my mind into thinking that I'm playing a big match in a tournament or the finals against a tough opponent.

Q: What kind of music do you like?

Rodney: I like Hip Hop, R & B, Rap, and club music.

Q: What is your favorite pastime besides pool?

Rodney: I play a lot of chess online. I also love to golf when the weather is nice.

Q: You have traveled the world. What is your favorite cuisine?

Rodney: Growing up in Hawaii, I have eaten just about every type of cuisine, but the main thing I have to have is my rice. My top three types of food are Hawaiian, Japanese, and Italian though.

Q: What do you normally eat for dinner at home?

Rodney: My fiancé is an awesome cook, and she loves trying new dishes. She watches the Food Network more than I watch Sportscenter, so I don't eat the same thing twice in a week. The one constant is my rice. Gotta have my rice.

Q: What is the worst place you have ever had to sleep while on the road?

Rodney: Worse place would have to be in my car. In freezing weather. In the ghetto. Scary.

Q: Who is your idol in pool? Outside of pool?

Rodney: My idol in pool is Efren Reyes because of his style and imagination. My idol outside of pool is Tiger Woods because he's unbelievable. Class, heart, focus, determination, talent, skill, sense of humor, smarts, imagination, and anything else you need all rolled into one human being. What's not to love?

Q: Where do you hope to be in 5 years?

Rodney: I hope to be traveling the world with my family and doing my part to promote pool and help young players who want to become world champions. Maybe be a coach.

Q: What was your initial reaction to facing Marlon Manalo in the IPT Challenge Match?

Rodney: My initial reaction to playing Marlon is that I have to represent my country and not let another Filipino come here and beat an American. This is my country, not his, and I'll let him know that on March 4th.

Q: Can you predict the outcome?

Rodney: I predict the outcome being 15-13 with me being victorious.