Publish date:: Jun 20, 2005

Verbatim: Booz Allen Classic

No one could hold the lead at Congressional, but Sergio García had it when it counted

Author:: Jim Gorant

ROUND 1

1. Matt Gogel..........................63

2. Kevin Stadler.....................65

60. Sergio García..................71

"You know, we're all pretty good players. There are 154 guys in the field, and everybody's capable of shooting a low round. It happened to be my day."

--Gogel

"It looks as if I'm finally starting to get it a little bit. Looks as if my short game is starting to come around. I just got to keep giving myself chances, and I'll be in good shape."

--García

ROUND 2

1. Robert Allenby.....68-65--133

2. Gogel...................63-72--135

30. García...............71-68--139

"I developed some inflammation in my hands. At first we thought I had some sort of arthritis, did a bunch of blood tests. I've had no feel, no touch around the greens. Even to this day we don't know what caused it. After the U.S. Open I'm going to do an allergy test, see if I'm allergic to anything, maybe spicy foods."

--Allenby

"I feel like I'm still in the hunt. I know if I can get the ball on the fairway over the weekend, I'll be a factor."

--Gogel

ROUND 3

1. Tom Kite..........68-69-66--203

2. Stuart Appleby...70-69-65--204

8. García ...........71-68-66--205

"Heck, if this were the Champions tour, they'd be giving me the trophy. Can we change this and do that right now? It's supposed to end after three rounds, isn't it?"

--Kite

"Rather than thinking about Pinehurst [and the U.S. Open], the best way to prepare is to focus on trying to win tomorrow."

--Phil Mickelson (T8, 205)

ROUND 4

1. García..........71-68-66-65--270

2. Adam Scott...68-67-69-68--272

2. Davis Love III.. 69-68-69-66--272

2. Ben Crane...67-70-68-67--272

"Adam [Scott], unfortunately, finished second. [Earlier in the week] Adam gave me a little tip that he used, because he wasn't a very good putter, but now he is one of the best.... He gave me a tip, and I've been using it this week. Of course it helped."

--García

"I said I like to practice putting while looking at the hole, to take my mind off the stroke. It worked for me. I told him to give it a try. Maybe I should charge him."

--Scott

"MAYBE THEY SHOULD MOVE THE U.S. OPEN ONE WEEK EARLIER."

GARCIA, AFTER BEING TOLD THAT TWO OF HIS SIX TOUR WINS HAVE COME THE WEEK BEFORE THE OPEN