THE 149TH OPEN

July 15, 2021

Sam Bairistow

Mixed Zone

Q. Collin, thanks for joining us. Nice start for you here at 149th Open. Can you talk to us about your round?

COLLIN MORIKAWA: Yeah, started off with a very interesting par, and happy to get away with par, in the right rough, and then hitting it pretty much just right next to my foot and going about 40 yards on other side of the fairway.

Overall I thought I found a rhythm. I was able to make some putts. That was huge speed. It was important for me today. I was putting the ball really well, and I just got to keep that up the next three days. Huge momentum heading into the next few days, yeah.

Q. Just want to ask you about playing links golf and the learning curve playing here. Obviously a bit different to being in the States.

COLLIN MORIKAWA: Yeah, I mean, I'll pretty much go tee-to-green. Tee shots you have more blind tee shots. You have to really pick your targets and be committed.

Fairways, the fescue fairway stuff, you just don't get in the U.S. I had to adjust, especially after playing last would be at Scottish. I changed irons just to get a little more center ball strike contact, and it pays off. I'm able for to be fully committed. I feel confident with my irons again that I just didn't have last week.

It's a learning process. And the greens, they're slow. That's it. They're slow and you got to figure out how to putt. I feel like my putting stroke has been good. Just had to figure out speed, and I was able to hit some good putts with speed today. Really happy playing out here. It's fun. It's a learning experience, but I hope to figure it out shortly.

Q. Do you enjoy the creativity shots? It's a bit of a challenge at times. The weather has been good, but it can change quickly.

COLLIN MORIKAWA: Yeah, you know, it's always a challenge. Being creative is what I do. Being creative, especially with my iron shots, that's what I love to do. I love to work the ball. Love to figure out different heights you have to hit it, see different windows. That what's links golf does and what it tests. I think it fits right into my pocket with that, and hopefully we can continue to stress the things I do well and hopefully just have a great putting week.

Q. And in terms obviously with the COVID situation, we're all well aware, the fact is you're in a bubble. I guess players are not going out. Does that take away some of the distractions maybe of playing at an Open?

COLLIN MORIKAWA: No, not necessarily. I think we have everything down to pretty much a science of what we do for major weeks, golf tournaments. Yeah, the bubble is a little different. You have to stay within certain limits. But for the most part, I'm at the golf course, hotel, and then from there I'm just relaxing.

It wouldn't be really that much different if it weren't a bubble to be honest.