Up Close With The Pittsburgh Sports Report
Jason Gore

After coming out of nowhere to finish second and challenge for the win at the U.S Open this year, Jason Gore has won three tournaments on the Nationwide Tour. He was given a sponsor’s exemption by Joe Hardy to compete in the 84 Lumber Classic in mid- September and won the tournament, earning over $750,000. He became the first player to win a PGA event with a sponsor exemption since Adam Scott in 2003. Gore's mother is originally from the Pittsburgh area and still retains a residence here. PSR golf writer Stephen Flinn followed Gore during his week at the 84 Lumber Classic at Nemacolin Woodlands.

PSR: Can you talk about the popularity of golf right now and how it feels to be part of it at this time?

Gore: I think we're all just thankful for Tiger [Woods]. This guy has changed golf forever and has made it a very cool sport that now everybody can relate to. Fifteen years ago, my story might not have even been a blip in the comics section, but now that golf is so popular, anyone can relate to it. Tiger has had the same impact Arnold Palmer had in his day, or Jack Nicklaus, so it's pretty special…It also feels great to be able to play a game for a living.

PSR: How has your life changed since almost winning the U.S. Open?

JG: A whirlwind, but really cool. It would take too much time to describe fully how my life has changed. I went from kids asking me for my autograph and then asking their friends who I was, to now hearing them say 'There's Jason Gore.' My phone rings more now, but overall, I haven't changed much. I'm still striving to be a good husband, a good father, and a good son.

PSR: What was your lowest point in your golf career?

JG: I was real close to hanging it up this year, around May, when I was going to the store and wondering if I was going to be able to afford formula for my child, and wondering where my next house payment was coming from. After winning the 84 Lumber Classic, I was handed a check for $792,000. I don't think I will have to worry about feeding my family for a while now.

PSR: Will you forever feel a connection to this tournament?

JG: Absolutely. They gave me a sponsor's exemption and for them to go out on a limb like that for me was pretty special. I never forget where I came from, and I'll be back here forever, I hope, until they kick me out. This [Nemacolin] is a pretty special place and a pretty special tournament for them to give me one of their spots with all the great golfers in the world right now means a lot to me. It feels good that people have faith in me.

PSR: How's your confidence now?

JG: You can never be satisfied with what you do. You just have to go out and try to keep getting better. I'll probably go out tomorrow and get my butt kicked by Annika [Sorenson] and my confidence might go straight back down the tubes, so I just try to learn something every day on my way to becoming a better player. I think the best golfers in the world have often said just that. You can be happy with what you've done, but that's not the same as being satisfied. If you strive to be the best and take every tournament as a stepping stone, hopefully, that is the formula for success.

PSR: Any particular moment that illustrates how things have changed for you recently?

JG: Yes. I received a letter from a guy that spent his last few moments with his father watching the U.S. Open and was dying of cancer. It was a tender father-son moment, one of their last together, and that was touching to know I was almost playing a character of the All-American underdog for these people to watch and was involved in such a wonderful moment, although tragic.

PSR: Americans take a lot out of our sports heroes…What do we take from the Jason Gore Story?

JG: I guess my wristband here would say it: never give up. Anything is possible with desire and ambition. Look at me, God, I graduated college. If that doesn't prove something with a little grit and ambition, and once you put your mind to something, stick to it, believe in yourself, and believe in what you've got and surround yourself with some great people, then no matter what happens, you're always a winner.