U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

June 19, 1998

Casey Martin

CASEY MARTIN: Well, yeah, sure. It is a tough course, and I haven't exactly been hitting the fairways too much, so it has been a little frustrating for me. But I am doing -- for as poorly as I have hit it, I am doing all right.

CASEY MARTIN: Maybe. I think I tend to play better on harder courses for some reason. And, I look forward to the challenge coming out here at the U.S. Open and playing. It is working out all right now. Just will have to hit a few more fairways next two days if I want to continue to play well.

CASEY MARTIN: I started out all right. Birdied the first hole, then bogeyed the third. But made a few putts to hang in there, and ended up, I think, turning at 1-under. Although I didn't hit that many greens, I still 1-putted enough to stay right there. Then I kind of -- I have had some trouble on the stretch of 10, 11, 12. They are tough holes. I just haven't hit particularly good shots. In fact, I have hit very poor shots on those holes. I was really fortunate because I got good lies in the rough on occasion and was able to save par a few times. I actually was 1-under with two to play. Just for the second day in a row, bogeyed the last two holes, which is understandable on 17. But I have just played 18 really poorly. That is disappointing.

CASEY MARTIN: The first hole was probably three feet. And the 7th hole was probably about seven feet.

CASEY MARTIN: I don't think I birdied 13.

CASEY MARTIN: 14 was probably ten or twelve feet. I really haven't made many long putts. I have just putted well inside ten feet.

CASEY MARTIN: I think that was a birdie putt that I should have had, and also the second shot on 18, because that -- I guess that was -- on 16 I hit a good wedge in there to probably about seven, six -- seven, eight feet, something like that. And I thought it would break quite a bit to the right. I just pulled it a touch and it almost -- it just stayed left. Didn't break at all 'til the very end. I missed it. That was disappointing because, you know, it is not often you have that good of a look. But I still was feeling pretty good about my game. On 18 I hit a horrible shot off the tee in the rough and laid up short and then hit what I thought was a pretty good wedge, but that green is so severe I couldn't hold it.

CASEY MARTIN: Yeah, the gallery support has been unbelievable. The support I have received from everyone, it is just overwhelming, so it has been a great week that way.

CASEY MARTIN: I think in a way I have proved something to myself because I know I am not playing as well as I am capable of and yet I made the cut at the U.S. Open. So that gives me confidence knowing that I am supposed to be here. And, I think if I just keep playing well and keep improving I can be out here and really be a steady fixture. It is ways off. But it is definitely realistic.

CASEY MARTIN: I don't know. That is kind of your business, I guess. You take the story and run with it, whatever way. I'd love to be known more as a golfer than a person with a disability. But, at the same time, I know that I am probably not going to lose that label, so....

CASEY MARTIN: No. Not yet. I do have a goal but I am not there yet. My goal was not just to make the cut. I think I have played long enough professionally that that shouldn't be my goal. And it wasn't.

CASEY MARTIN: First of all, just a great experience. The crowd support, just playing in the U.S. Open, period, it is a blast. I am having a great time and learning a lot about my game, knowing what I have to do to be able to compete out here consistently.

CASEY MARTIN: I will tell you later. Not right now.

CASEY MARTIN: I don't know.

CASEY MARTIN: Yeah, actually it was. Because yesterday I was very nervous and only had about eight hours before my tee time to think about it. So it was -- I was glad yesterday I got over with and today was quite a bit easier.

CASEY MARTIN: I have used it about the same. About four times - four, five times.

CASEY MARTIN: Perhaps a little bit, but I have been hitting my driver poorly, so I am not trying to be too aggressive off the tee, just go for a few pins when they are there. But, it is hard to be too aggressive out here because you can just get destroyed if you mess up a little bit.

CASEY MARTIN: No, not at all. I have had no problems. Except maybe tripping over a few kids here or there, but it has been great.