THE PANAMA CHAMPIONSHIP

February 5, 2022

Zack Fisher

Press Conference

Q. All right, Zack, tough day out there. Walk me through your round.

ZACK FISHER: Going into the day we saw that the wind is really going to be blowing, so we knew that even par was a good score. Fortunately I got two better. Hit it really, really well today; made a few putts that probably shouldn't have made, and ended 68.

Q. Any hole or shot in particular that stood out to you?

ZACK FISHER: Hit an amazing chip shot on 15 and missed like a 4-footer for par. That was like the best chip shot I've hit in a long time. That kind of stuck out to me.

I hit some really good shots other than that, but still I was like, man, I really want to make that putt. It's okay.

Q. Here on 18 you had a great shot out of the bunker; made that putt. I could tell you were excited about that.

ZACK FISHER: Yeah, because I bogeyed 17 and so I didn't want a bogey-bogey finish. Hit a really good punch out that just happened to go in the bunker, and then I knew the bunker shot was going to be brutal. Hit a good bunker shot, and then the putt, my caddie, Grayson and I, we really grinded on it and made to practice.

Q. How do you feel about the course overall? This whole week how has it been playing?

ZACK FISHER: I think guys have been saying it's basically our version of U.S. Open because it's playing so fast and firm. You have to think. I love Panama. I played the course really well in the past. Hopefully can have another great day tomorrow.

Q. Yeah, coming off Q-School, what was your decision to not play that first Bahamas event?

ZACK FISHER: It's just travel was kind of hard. The golf course, the wind blows really hard. I don't want to get off to a negative start just because you're losing golf balls left and right, so I just decided to take it off.

Q. So missed the cut at Bahamas but come here out the gates playing well. What was your mindset leaving Bahamas coming here?

ZACK FISHER: I played really well in the Bahamas, especially in the second round. Just my first tournament of the year. I definitely was far from sharp. I mean, I could have shot 5- or 6-under in the second round to make the cut and I didn't do it.

This week I could definitely tell that I had those rounds under my belt. Hopefully we can continue it going into tomorrow.

Q. This is our first time talking with you since Q-School. How did you spend the off-season?

ZACK FISHER: Was loving spending time with my family. Absolutely loving that. Basically just spending timing with the family, working on a few things on the golf swing.

Got a new driver, the Stealth, and love it. Good, everything is great.

Q. Awesome. So got the afternoon now. A little bit more of the evening, I guess. Final round tomorrow. What's the plans for the rest of the day?

ZACK FISHER: Going to enjoy the warmth because it's freezing back home, so rub it into my wife. And, yeah, it's beautiful here. I love Panama. Hopefully I can lift the trophy tomorrow. Be amazing.

Q. Are they in a snowstorm right now?

ZACK FISHER: Yeah, ice storm, just you name. Right now it's just brutal. I'm not hating the fact that I'm down here.

Q. Heat, course conditions are tough. How do you stay mentally tough?

ZACK FISHER: My sponsor, Wild One, their clothing is really, really nice. It uses plant-friendly materials and really, really keeps me cool even though you wouldn't think it does because everybody else is sweating, too. It's done a great job and I love it.

Q. Also seen that your hat, the company, you made your own line of hats.

ZACK FISHER: Yeah.

Q. Talk me through that. That's really cool.

ZACK FISHER: Jason Highland, the owner, after we won he was super excited as well. He was like, Yeah, we should do a hat. Then my wife made a logo for me, and he was like, Yeah, put it on the side of the hat and we'll sell them and give you all the proceeds. If I win tomorrow, I'm hopefully not going to need those proceeds.

Q. That's so cool. You're wife still grinding away at her career?

ZACK FISHER: Yeah. She passed her court reporter test so she is officially a court reporter, and I'm incredibly proud of her. Being an amazing mom. Our little girl is starting to say phrases, which is a lot of fun. And I hate being away, but if I win it would be a lot sweeter for sure.

Q. Are they going to join you this year?

ZACK FISHER: They'll be there in Louisiana for sure. My wife loves the food and it's just really, really good time.