BMW CHAMPIONSHIP

August 26, 2021

Patrick Cantlay

Caves Valley Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Patrick, 6-under, nice start. If we can get some comments on your round.

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, I played really well on the back nine. I got off to a little bit of a slow start, which isn't usually the recipe for a good round out here because you can get off to such a hot start with the opening holes, but all in all I played pretty well and I'm happy with my start.

Q. What does it feel like when the putts are just going in from everywhere? What's that feeling like?

PATRICK CANTLAY: It feels like you're going to make every one and you're surprised when you don't. Sometimes I get in that space, and today for that stretch of holes on the back nine, I definitely got in that space.

The greens were a little beat up, but all in all they're pretty good and they're that really nice holing pace. They're like 12 or so, and it feels like you're going to get all the balls to the hole, but they're not crazy slippery.

Q. I know they've been working really hard to try to firm this up, but you guys are still taking it deep here just because the rain is coming every single night. Is there any way to make a course defensible when it's soft?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Not a course that has fairways this wide. There's really no trouble to speak of on this golf course. You can hit it in the rough or a bunker, but there's no out-of-bounds, there's basically no hazards. All the fairways are 40 or 50 or 60 yards wide and there's four par-5s, so guys are going to shoot low scores.

I knew guys were going to shoot low scores after playing the practice round, and I'd expect more of the same. I don't think it's going to get much firmer, and I don't think there's anything they can do to get it firmer. It's just when you're playing in the summer and it's this hot, it's going to be a soft golf course.

Q. Is 30-under a possibility here?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I don't know. I mean, how many times has it happened ever? Once, DJ, right? Twice? That was maybe five-round tournaments in the desert or something. Five rounds, that doesn't count. Maybe once. I'd put my money on not 30-under, but definitely into the 20s.

Q. If you look back at your round, how much did that putt on 9 help you maybe kick off on the back?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, that got it started and then I basically made every putt I hit except the one on No. 2 until 17 and 18 -- until 18. And when I get in that mode, it just feels like they're all going to go in, and they basically all did.

Q. Were you pissed when you missed the one on 18?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I was surprised it broke that much. I hit it kind of how I wanted.

Q. It's pretty hot out there and pretty muggy and there's like seven rounds to go in this season. How important is your recovery tonight? Anything special when it's this hot and you've got to get through?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, I think I'll do more of the same, maybe hydrate a little bit more. It is important. I think anytime you're in a three-week stretch, especially when you're playing in the summer, it's important to kind of rest, and I'll try and rest and eat and sleep and definitely drink enough fluids.

Q. I know we're playing for the FedExCup, but is the Ryder Cup on your mind?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I would say a little bit. I mean, obviously I'm excited potentially to play. I'd love to get a pick, and from all the guys I've heard, it's just a totally different special week. If I were to be a part of it, I think I'd really enjoy it, and I really like the team golf because it's so rare, and it makes it so exciting, and it makes you so present as a competitor.

Yeah, I mean, I am looking forward to it a little bit, but there's plenty of golf between here and there.

Q. If you win this week, you'd go in, be in the top 6.

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, if I win this week, I like my chances.