Q&A; WITH BRYAN SALTUS:

It’s safe to say Bryan Saltus is a deadhead.

In fact, he’s not shy to admit that his affinity for the Grateful Dead is more important to him than his career. The memories he has from seeing the band live 163 times are more precious to him than his greatest achievement in golf, which came Dec. 2 when he won the Cambodian Open.

For the past four years, Saltus, a Newport Harbor High product and a former Orange Coast College standout, has shown rapid improvement in his game and winnings. But all that pales in comparison to the Grateful Dead.

“It’s more important to me than golf,” said Saltus, who lives in Costa Mesa. “Until I win a major, or if I ever win one, being a Grateful Dead fan is what’s been the greatest part of my life.”

If Saltus does win a major, it won’t come as too much of a shock. On his personal information in his bio at www.asiantour.com, Saltus tells more of the importance of his favorite band. He said he had a “religious experience” at their concert in Las Vegas in 1993 and was granted a wish. He wished that he would win the Masters.

But that’s not to say that Saltus hasn’t been enjoying himself while on the Asian Tour, especially after his rise in prize money that came last year.

He went from earning $67,235 in 2005 to $146,981 in 2006. This past year, he was 33rd on the Asian Tour money list at $132,027, but the Cambodian Open victory was the first of his career.

He’ll begin his work in 2008 two days after his 37th birthday. That’s when he’ll play at the Johnnie Walker Classic in New Dehli, India, Feb. 28 through March 2.

Before then, he took time out to answer questions from Daily Pilot Sports Editor Steve Virgen:

Question: What was it like to win the Cambodian Open?

Answer: It was like a whirlwind. It hit me out of nowhere. I came there and I knew I liked the area. I had been there before. I was just really mellow. I wasn’t really worried about the money. I just went and played golf.

I went there a month before that and played one practice round before that. They charged me $130. I tried to get a discount, but they didn’t allow that. But after I won, they gave me a free membership and I get to stay at the hotel for free.

But, since it was sponsored by Johnnie Walker, I thought I would get some of that product. I’ve been drinking Johnnie Walker. But they didn’t even give me a bottle. My first event in 2008 is the Johnnie Walker Classic. I heard they give you a bottle just for being a participant. That’s cool because it will be two days after my birthday. I’ll be in Dehli, India for my birthday.

Q: What has it been like to play on the Asian Tour?

A: It’s been awesome. The travel has been the best part. I’ve met so many friends. It’s just been a lot of fun. You go to a different part, drink a different beer and speak different languages. I played on the Canadian Tour for four years, but most of the time it felt like I was driving.

Q: What’s been the greatest moment in your career?

A: Winning the Cambodian Open. I’ve won in Southern California 42 times. But I never won on the Canadian Tour and I had never won on the Asian Tour.

Q: What’s been the lowest moment in your career?

A: This year, a few months ago. I was just in a slump right before the Hong Kong Open (Nov. 15-18). I was depending on that tournament to lift me out of the dumps.

Right before Hong Kong, I was still hitting real good, so I wasn’t too bummed. Overall, I try not to get too bummed. I usually hit it pretty good. But it’s the little things that get me down.

I ended up winning [$12,150] on the Hong Kong Open and I got to play the next couple of events without any worries.

Q: How were you able to win the Cambodian Open?

A: I have to give a lot of the credit to that putter. I had been using the same one, but all of a sudden I switch putters at the Cambodian Open. This one company had been pushing their putter on me. I ended up pulling one out of my bag walking to the 10th hole. I was pretty desperate. It’s crazy. I had thrown one of my putters in the lake the week before in Vietnam. So, I went from throwing my putter in the lake to running into the lake to celebrate a win.

Q: When you think of Orange Coast College, what comes to mind?

A: Just those golf teams I was on were awesome. I went to the state finals in my first year. In my second year, we went undefeated.

Q: How did you become a Grateful Dead fan?

A: My friend mentioned they were playing in 1987 at Irvine Meadows. I went and it was the first concert I had been to. I snuck in. I had never seen anything like that. I just got more into it, and the more I did the more I liked it.

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at steve.virgen@latimes.com.