JOHN DEERE CLASSIC

July 8, 2021

Camilo Villegas

TPC Deere Run

Quick Quotes

Q. Five birdies and an eagle, how happy are you with what you're seeing out there?

CAMILO VILLEGAS: Yeah, it's a nice start. The golf course is in great shape. The temperature is unbelievable. There's definitely a lot of chances out there. We had a little rain that came down yesterday afternoon, and it got soft. So yeah, expect low scoring. It's kind of the trend here every year, so today's start was solid.

Q. Two birdies and a par finish; how do you build on that tomorrow? Were there any opportunities out there where you thought maybe you could give yourself an even better look?

CAMILO VILLEGAS: Yeah, always. Anytime you play you look back and you say man I could have made this or that but you also could have made bogey here or there. You're never going to complain about a 7-under start, so again, I didn't make any bogeys, I gave myself chances and made some putts here and there, and solid start.

Q. It's been a while, 2017 was the last time you were here. Why back now?

CAMILO VILLEGAS: I love this place. I love this place. I didn't get a chance to come the last few years, but I'm here. This is where I made my first check, by the way, on the PGA TOUR. 2004 I made my first check here. I remember parring the 9th hole to make the cut, and I've got good memories. There's great people around this town. They put a great show, they put a great tournament. John Deere has been supportive of the PGA TOUR and our job for many, many years, and I always enjoy being here.

Q. How much does it help having that course knowledge on this particular layout? Some of the guys up at the top have been here for multiple years and have some good history here. How important is that?

CAMILO VILLEGAS: Yeah, I mean, I've been around this place way too many times. I played nine holes on Tuesday and then we got rained out yesterday in the pro-am that I wasn't supposed to play the back nine, and I didn't get a chance to see it, but I come across it going listen, there's not really too much to see. I've played here many times, so it was fine.

Q. You've had mixed results here, first paycheck, some really good rounds. I think it was back in 2013 you started with 64, opened with a 64 and then didn't do so well the next three days. How do you take a low round this year and continue to build on that?

CAMILO VILLEGAS: We don't really think -- I never think on that. I just try to stay in the present and hit shots. What do I do? I guess keep doing the same thing I did today. It's just staying in the present. I don't know how to answer that one. I just don't pay attention to that stuff.

Q. You've had kind of a rocky last couple of years for you. Are things getting back to normal in your life --

CAMILO VILLEGAS: I'm happy to be playing golf, man. The support has been unbelievable, and I'm really happy to play golf, so here we are again.