THE HONDA CLASSIC

March 11, 2000

Brian Gay

BRIAN GAY: Birdie on 2, driver, L-wedge, six or seven feet. Birdie on 5, 7-iron almost went in, about two feet right behind the hole. Birdie on 13, hit driver off the tee, had about a 20-, 30-yard pitch, lipped it out for eagle; had a tap-in. 14, hit 7-iron third shot about four feet. 16, sand wedge about ten or twelve feet.

BRIAN GAY: 15, I hit a 3-wood, straight into the wind, had like 236 or 235. I left it short. Hit it pin-high about 20 feet; left it short.

BRIAN GAY: I didn't even look at the scoreboard today. I knew I had to be up there last few holes. When I birdied -- when I made those last two birdies, just tried to stay focused and keep doing what I have been doing all week; really didn't think about it too much, to be honest. Which is good if you can do that, I think.

BRIAN GAY: That's a good question. That would be Golden Bear Tour, if I can remember that far back. It was 1997 last time I played that Tour.

BRIAN GAY: Yeah, it gives you incentive. Everyone seems to be playing so well, just amazed at the scores this week. It's funny that I am right there shooting them. I was just thinking about the cut yesterday, how low it was. I was like, man, this is unbelievable because I think the cut was 3-under last week at Doral and it was 4-under here and I am thinking, this course is harder than last week just because it is windier and there is rough around the greens. Everybody seems to be scoring so well, everybody is so good, it is just unbelievable. Yeah, it does -- I mean, I see that I am capable of doing it when I see guys that haven't won getting in that position, even with the Jim Furyks and everybody else that are still winning guys that haven't won are getting there having a chance to win, so it gives me confidence.

BRIAN GAY: Obviously last week learned don't ever give up. I am not in that situation, wasn't the case today where -- I guess it could happen tomorrow, but you never know what is going to happen. It is a crazy game. Basically never give up and just see what happens.

BRIAN GAY: I probably won't. I didn't do it today. I think I will be better off if I don't.

BRIAN GAY: I think it is a distraction really. I can't control what everyone else is doing, so it doesn't really do me any good to look. I am sure my caddie would let me know, you know, at the end if need be.

BRIAN GAY: It's been a little better than last -- the last few weeks. Really struggled with the putter on the West Coast - missed a couple of CUTS by a shot, played pretty well in Tucson, finished 13th, and that gave me a lot of confidence there. Just started putting better for the most part. I guess I think I have made 4 of the last 5 cuts so I have been playing better.

BRIAN GAY: I think I am good enough to win out here. I didn't write it down on paper, but I was disappointed after last year. I think the first year out here is really tough, seemed to be lost every week, don't know where you are going, a lot of things going on around you. I was just excited to have another chance and to see how I do the second time around knowing where to go to register; knowing where to stay; not being lost; seeing the golf courses. That was really my only thought coming -- I know I am good enough to be out here. I was looking forward to the chance again this year after having to go back to Q-School.

BRIAN GAY: Just a little over four years. Spring of 1995 'til last summer.

BRIAN GAY: It is kind of like home. I grew up in the south. I like Bermuda. I like warm weather. I have played -- I lived down here played the mini-tours down here. Went to school in Gainseville, so, I mean, it is familiar to me. That was one -- like the West Coast I putted so poorly on different poa annua greens and just a whole different game out there.

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