WGC EMC WORLD CUP

December 7, 2000

Angel Cabrera

Eduardo Romero

EDUARDO ROMERO: We are very connected -- we said that we are very connected to each other, especially regarding today's round. We were very nervous, especially on the 1st hole, because we started watching and listening to cameras going off and sounds. Even though we made a birdie from then on, we just kept making birdies, and that really calmed us down.

ANGEL CABRERA: Yes, like Eduardo said, we were -- I especially was very nervous on the 1st hole. Having the people cheer for us was very important. But all in all, people behaved very well. People are not used to having Tiger Woods and people of this magnitude playing here. But I think that everybody behaved well, and I feel good about today.

EDUARDO ROMERO: No.

ANGEL CABRERA: No, I don't think so. It is a very complicated course. And I think that you have to play really concentrated, because if you lose concentration, you can shoot wrong, and that can really cost you a big deal.

ANGEL CABRERA: No, we're going to play our game. And we'll see, as we start the day, if we are going to attack the course or we're going to play conservative. It all depends on how things are set right from the beginning.

EDUARDO ROMERO: We knew that we had to play against the United States at some point. When we realized or we found out that we had to play against the United States on the first day, we already played with Tiger, and everybody feels pressure when you get to play with Tiger. The difference lies on the fact that we knew how to handle this pressure.

EDUARDO ROMERO: I didn't think about Eduardo Romero playing and making those 10 birdies. This is a team. Actually, I just found out that I shot 10 birdies. I played for the team, and I tried to make as many birdies as possible for the team.

EDUARDO ROMERO: This is just the first round. I think the tournament hasn't even started yet. There is still a long way. We have to be concentrated to play in the same level we played today, and I think we are capable to do that.

ANGEL CABRERA: Like any other night, I think we're going to have dinner, and then we're going to sleep. I think that we are used to these kind of nights, maybe Romero a little bit more than myself.

EDUARDO ROMERO: This is the first nice question I've been asked today. (Laughs.)

ANGEL CABRERA: No. We are going to get together with El Gato (Big Cat), and we are going to analyze in our game who is going to start tomorrow.

EDUARDO ROMERO: No, because we exchange balls. So, each practices with the ball the other one plays, so there's no problem with that. Before that, we play with whatever, any kind of balls. (Laughter.)

EDUARDO ROMERO: We are very confident in our game. We are not saying that today, but we have been saying this for some days now. So many journalists asked us, "Why are you so confident?" As if they were scared or frightened by our words, because we were playing fine and we were playing well. And that's why we said it. And we keep on saying the same thing.

EDUARDO ROMERO: There was a ball that was not mine, and we couldn't find the other one. But Angel was right in the middle of the fairway, and he was about to hit a 9-iron, so it wasn't really necessary for me to find the ball.

ANGEL CABRERA: All I thought about was to get on the green. I mean, I had a 9-iron in my hand. I just had to hit the green like I would do it on any other occasion. And as far as the 15th hole is concerned, I saw Eduardo was really close to the pin. So while I had a very complicated shot, I gave it a chance. Maybe I could have left it really close to the pin, myself.

EDUARDO ROMERO: No chance.

EDUARDO ROMERO: Of course, a day like today. But if it rains and there is a lot of wind, we are quite used to playing under those conditions in Scotland and in England, in general.

ANGEL CABRERA: No, because we were placing special attention to what we were doing; we were not paying attention to what our competitors were doing.

EDUARDO ROMERO: It's a right cross.

ANGEL CABRERA: They are different tournaments, different places. We are playing here in Argentina now. In 1998, we were almost able to get the trophy to go to Buenos Aires. It didn't happen, as things don't happen in life, but we played well. Last year, we almost got the trophy, as well, with Romero, but it went away as well. This year, it is another story. And we are here to try and win the trophy.

EDUARDO ROMERO: Exactly the same.

EDUARDO ROMERO: No. Because tomorrow is a different format. Tomorrow each one of them is playing a different stroke, an alternate stroke.

EDUARDO ROMERO: It is exactly the same, but with more feelings, because I am representing our country today.

EDUARDO ROMERO: I have improved my putter a lot in the last year. And in this system, it is much better, because I know that I have a partner that is supporting me, and that's why I can play so aggressively. I don't usually play this aggressive when I'm playing alone.

End of FastScripts....