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American Morning

Hale Irwin Legend Grows at U.S. Open

Aired June 15, 2001 - 11:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: CNN/Sports Illustrated reporter John Giannone reports the Hale Irwin story is a story that is catching a lot of attention.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN GIANNONE, CNN/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): The forecast at Southern Hills on Thursday called for ominous clouds, dangerous lightning, and maybe even a tornado. They forgot to mention the Hale storm.

At age 56, and as the oldest man in the field, three-time open champion Irwin posted a first round that was at one surprising and sentimental, infectious and inspiring.

HALE IRWIN, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: Age is a number. Somewhere along the line, you have to step up to the plate and realize that, but that doesn't mean that you're through. If I can just sort of be an example of what others are capable of doing, I am happy to do that. I'm not going to accept the fact that I can't do it.

DAVIS LOVE, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: Hale's got three of them on his mantle, so I don't think he's too worried about it. He's going to go out and have fun. When you take that attitude, you play good.

IRWIN: There's not anyone bigger than the game, and just the fact that the people are out and cheering for you that way is -- I feel very fortunate to be there. I really do.

GIANNONE: Irwin's memory he will ensure he'll cherish his place atop the leader board not only because of his inauspicious two bogey start on Thursday, but because last year at Pebble Beach Irwin posted a first-round 3 under par and followed that with a 7 over.

IRWIN: I felt all along that my game has been pretty good of late, and if I didn't get myself too far out of it, there are bogies to be made out there, as well as birdies to be made. If I continue just to manage my game well and not get excited and try to get aggressive, and not shoot at some of these pins, then I might have a chance.

SERGIO GARCIA, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: Hopefully, he'll be age to hold his game right there where he is right now. It will be great to see him on the top for the weekend. LOVE: Hale's got more experience in this open than probably anybody, and he's been playing well, and it takes hitting precise iron shots, and he's done that his whole career. So I'm not surprised.

GIANNONE (on camera): The experience and poise Irwin has gained over the last three decades helped him on Thursday to overcome hitting oval only half his fairways off the tee, and only 11 of 18 greens in regulation. However, once on the putting surface, Irwin was magical, needing only one putt on half of the 18 holes.

At the U.S. Open, in Tulsa, I'm John Giannone.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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