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JOHN DEERE CLASSIC


July 25, 2002


David Gossett


SILVIS, ILLINOIS

TODD BUDNICK: Welcome back David Gossett to the John Deere Classic pressroom. 6-under, 65, David's fifth consecutive round in the 60s here at the TPC at Deere Run in five attempts.

And I believe after looking, you have never been more than three strokes off the lead here after any round. I'd say we're doing pretty well here.

DAVID GOSSETT: Well, thank you. Good round today. It's nice being back and I had a lot of pre-tournament stuff experience for the first time being the defending champion, but pleased that I was able to take advantage of that early tee time this morning, went out and had some good par saves on holes, No. 3 made about a 5-footer for par. Then I made a 12-footer for par No. 4 after missing the green hitting a kind of a lazy chip. That was really good making that 12-footer. It kept things going for me.

Birdied the next two holes, No. 5, hit a wedge in there to about seven feet, made it. Same thing on the next hole, and just pleased to be starting off again with a good start.

TODD BUDNICK: Go through the birdies.

DAVID GOSSETT: I hit the drive left, hit a 5-iron through the green to the fringe, made a 35-footer for birdie.

12, I hit it over the green with a 3-iron and chipped it in.

13, I hit driver, and a wedge to six feet, made it for birdie.

17, I hit a great drive and a good 4-iron to about 50 feet and 2-putted for birdie. No bogeys on the card. That was something that I was pleased with today. Also that's what I did last round I played here on Sunday. Had 5 birdies and no bogeys. 6 birdies and no bogeys today. Something you are always proud of when you are out on the PGA TOUR.

TODD BUDNICK: Chip on 12.

DAVID GOSSETT: Just off the green, probably 35 feet from the hole.

TODD BUDNICK: Questions.

Q. Are you glad that Thursday finally came and all that stuff is over with now?

DAVID GOSSETT: You know, I was telling Matt yesterday playing in the pro-am, we played a practice round on Tuesday and I am saying: I am ready to play, and, you know, there was quite a bit, you know, a lot of interviews in the morning and press conference and stuff which is fine, but I was ready to play. I knew that I could play well on this golf course obviously, and just surrounded by great memories from last year's event and I knew that I have been playing well. I have gotten off to good starts in the first rounds, so, nice to be able to do it again. And all I can say is I am glad the race is started, so to speak.

Q. Was it any different playing today as opposed to last year when you were trying to win the first one?

DAVID GOSSETT: Yes, a little bit. It was a little bit different. When they announced the 2001 champion on the PGA TOUR, David Gossett, that was a little different. Last year I was a Buy.com player. Playing with last year's -- Michael Clark, who won the tournament before I did, and, you know, I had my own thoughts of good memories from last year but also, you know, a lot of people out there pulling for me which was nice saying: Do it again, David, you can do it. Hang in there. Play well. Have fun. And so from that regard it was different, I suspect. But the golf part it's pretty similar. I had Matt on the bag, he did good job again, and we're just trying to have fun out there. I am playing well. So I am just trying to enjoy myself the most I can. That's what I did last year. And, obviously, it worked in my scores, so, I like this golf course. It sets up well for my game. It's in good shape and it's nice to get off to a good start.

Q. Some of the guys in here before you were talking about the course playing a little bit differently because of the wind, different wind blowing out there. Was it a different course today than what you saw last year?

DAVID GOSSETT: Pretty calm starting off today. Didn't really experience much wind until maybe the 4th hole. I guess there was wind. For sure there was wind. There was a few holes we're playing differently, but it wasn't a whole lot. It was 10 miles an hour at the most, so definitely, a few holes played a little different. Hole number -- it was a southeast wind, I guess it's out of the north, but it didn't bother me much, no.

Q. Just the way it looks condition-wise, it is a better course than it was a year ago?

DAVID GOSSETT: I think is. I think the course is maturing and growing with another year under its belt. It's a new golf course and I think the superintendents have done a good job as more grass has been able to grow in over the last 24 months, since the first tournament. I know the first -- I don't -- they talked about kind of thin greens; not much grass on them, but last year I was you know, they were all pleased to see they had plenty of grass and this year I think the greens are even better. I feel like the course is in great shape. I mean all that John Deere equipment, (laughter) got to be pretty good, right.

Q. Are the greens running faster?

DAVID GOSSETT: They are, I feel like they are. I feel like they are firmer and faster. I do. I noticed on Tuesday straightaway, talked to Matt even on the putting green felt like they were a little bit faster.

Q. Is that going to equate to lower scores, more birdies and lower scores?

DAVID GOSSETT: Hard to say really. I read in the paper they were trying to set it up a little tougher with some thicker rougher and little tighter off the tee. I didn't notice any more rough, but it's really hard to say. There's going to be plenty of birdies as you have seen out there today, 8-under, 6-unders, 5-unders, there's plenty of birdie opportunity out there. The greens aren't really firm, so I mean -- they are not rock hard, I guess, they are firm compared-- maybe compared to last year, or most places. For the public they are firm, I will say, but these guys are pretty good. The course gives you several holes where hitting 8-iron or less in, several holes where I hit wedges.

End of FastScripts....

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