U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

June 18, 1998

Jose Maria Olazabal

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: It was a long day. The starting time was delayed 20 minutes and playing the U.S. Open, we know, more or less, that it is going to be a day like this. The golf course is playing very difficult, and we are going to find ourselves in a very difficult situation sometimes. So it will take more than the usual time anyway. But I am pleased the way I played today. I drove the ball well; which is a rare thing for me. I am really pleased with the score.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: I birdied No. 1. I hit driver, 3-iron, sand wedge; holed a par from five feet. Then birdied No. 5. Hit a driver and 9-iron and holed it from a couple of feet. Bogeyed 17. Driver, 3-iron, sand wedge, and 2-putt from 5, 6 feet. 18, 1-iron, sand wedge, and holed a putt from 9 feet.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: Well, not spectacular saves, but I made a couple of saves anyway. I made a pretty good save on 10. I hit a second shot just over the green and chipped it back and holed the putt from twelve feet more or less. That was it, mainly.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: It is very gratifying. There is no doubt about that. I like to play these kinds of tournaments like the U.S. Open and the PGA even though they don't suit me because I like the challenge. I like to put myself in a situation like this and see if I am -- I can overcome a situation like this. And today I did play well. It was a nice thing. A great feeling. Hopefully, I will keep on doing that the next few days.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: It has been awhile. At the start of the season this year, I really drove the ball well for three or four weeks. But, it seems then virtually this has been the only day.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: If I have to be honest with myself and with you guys, I had a chance of playing a tournament back in Europe that didn't count for the Order of Merit. I was told that I would be able to use a buggy. I declined the invitation. I think that walking is part of the game. Obviously, we all feel sympathy for Casey Martin. I don't think that anybody would like to see himself in a situation like this anyway. So it is a very delicate matter, but we will have to wait and see how things develop and what the final result is.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: I saw the short grass quite often during the day. I only missed the fairways just by two, three feet, the fairways -- holes like No. 4 by a couple of feet and 5 pretty much just by two, three yards, no more.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: Well, I am not 100% but I am getting there. I saw the doctor a few weeks ago and it was all good news. I was very pleased with the news. I still have to exercise a little bit, but he reckons that with a little bit more time and more exercise I will get back to 100%.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: No. No, just normal.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: Thanks.