Skip to main content

Questions For Jason Gore

By winning a record three straight Nationwide starts, the Cinderella of the U.S. Open earned a PGA Tour card

SI: Last Thursday you were in danger of missing the cut after shooting a 71 because you had pinkeye. Did it bother your putting?

JG: It was brutal, but I had to deal with that for only one day. My depth perception was a little messed up, so my speed was a little off.

SI: What did contending in the U.S. Open do for you?

JG: It was a huge confidence-builder. Anytime you realize you can compete with the best players in the world at that high level, it's a wonderful feeling.

SI: How did it affect you?

JG: It made me realize I could compete at that level. That's all I took out of it. If I wanted to look back and say, "Geez, I shot an 84 in the last round of the U.S. Open," that would be pretty detrimental. But everybody [at Pinehurst] was fantastic.

SI: Did it take you a long time to recover from your final-round disappointment?

JG: Thirty seconds. I was disappointed, but once I realized, "Hey, that was quite a wonderful week," it really didn't matter.

SI: You are the first to win three starts in a row on the Nationwide tour. What clicked?

JG: I don't know. I played very well. I putted well and hit some really good shots. It kind of adds up.

SI: Are you looking for a new car?

JG: I just got a Volvo, so now we're the ultimate yuppie family--we have two Volvos. We got rid of the gas guzzler.

SI: Which event will you choose for your first PGA Tour start?

JG: Getting to Reno [for next week's Reno-Tahoe Open] from Los Angeles [his home] is a lot easier than getting to Springfield, Mo. [site of this week's Nationwide event].

SI: Do you think you'll do some damage in your third stint on Tour?

JG: I'm looking forward to getting out there, and it will be exciting. I wouldn't say damage, but I think I'll do much better.

SI: Goals for the rest of the year?

JG: I don't know. I haven't had time to think, actually. --Stu Pospisil

SI: WHERE DID THE 59 ON FRIDAY COME FROM?

JG: IT WAS LODGED IN BETWEEN 58 AND 60. WHO KNOWS? WE HAD A DAY OF PERFECT WEATHER AND PERFECT GREENS.

KEY STAT

36

Strokes under par by Morgan Pressel over 142 holes at the U.S. Women's Amateur.

COLOR PHOTO

BOB SHAW/CLARKSBURG EXPONENT/AP (GORE)

BIG HAUL

Gore started his streak at the Pete Dye Classic.