U.S. SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 10, 2021

Stephen Ames

Omaha Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: It's my pleasure to welcome Stephen Ames to the interview room. 2-under 68 today, unbelievable, some shots on 16, 17 and 18. Walk me through those.

STEPHEN AMES: I wouldn't say they were unbelievable. I think it was more putts than anything else. On the back nine I actually found my putter back, which was nice. I've been looking for it for about a month now, and I figured out something there. We'll see if it's there tomorrow and go from there.

We had to make putts to keep up with Jimmy. We just got some reference of being close, but I don't know, he's playing very well right now, so we'll see what happens.

Q. After the rain last night, how much did that change the course this morning and then after the delay?

STEPHEN AMES: Yeah, we got a couple mud balls out there. Obviously that's going to happen. They don't believe in lift, clean and place at the USGA, so we have to deal with that, unfortunately.

I think overall the golf course held up very nicely. Weather was nice and cool, unlike it was Friday afternoon, where it was 101. So it was pleasant, nice to play golf.

Q. You'll be right against Jim Furyk in the same group tomorrow; you know what's in front of you. What do you have to do?

STEPHEN AMES: Pretty much the same thing I did on the back nine today. I've got to make some putts, hit the shots the way I've been hitting it. A couple things -- I might press him a little bit. I don't know if I should, but we'll figure a game plan out in my dreams and see what happens.

Q. You said yesterday you had a little trouble with the putter --

STEPHEN AMES: Very.

Q. What today kind of changed to get that going?

STEPHEN AMES: You know, I don't know. Just something told me to stand just a hair closer to the ball, and all of a sudden my eyes felt better, my stroke felt easier and more free, and I started hitting the pace right, which is what I was struggling with was the pace.

I hit some really quality putts coming down the end there, so that right there alone is going to make my dinner taste a lot better tonight.