ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS

April 23, 2022

Xander Schauffele

Patrick Cantlay

TPC Louisiana

Quick Quotes

Q. On Thursday we probably could have said what can you do for an encore with a 59. Well, I guess you showed us today. Why were you guys so good out there again today?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: We made more birdies than the rest of the field, I guess. Not as many as Thursday, but it was pretty windy and we sort of got our grip on the front nine, stayed very patient. Pat's eagle kind of helped kick start the push, I guess, and Pat made a lot of nice birdies there coming to finish the round.

Q. Was there a sense -- you guys were 1-under the first four holes. Was there any impatience at all wanting to get off to a better start than that?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: I don't think so. Our plan is to basically have as many birdie looks as possible. If you're not really in the hole, hit it up there close to free up your partner and let your partner get a good roll at it. He did a really good job of that on the back nine, and it bore some good fruit.

Q. The walk from 9 to 10 is pretty long. You guys have a little bit of time to regroup after the front nine and then you tore it up on the back. Was there some sort of reset when you got to 10 tee? What got triggered on the back side?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: I really wish this guy was singing when we were making the turn; maybe it would have fired us up some more.

No, we just -- the way we play in normal stroke play is very simple. We just keep plotting along, and we just stayed very patient. That's what we did.

Q. In terms of tomorrow, with such a big buffer and a tricky format and winds, do you think you'll be a little more conservative with your game plan or is this just put the foot down and take this thing out?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: We're going to try and do exactly what we did on Friday, which is sort of plot along, play our games, leave each other in good spots, and try and hole some putts.

Q. How do you keep obviously the importance of tomorrow -- I know you've been looking for a win for a while. You want to get back on the horse after an awesome year last year and what happened last week. How do you keep each other loose and get through to the end?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: It's the third quarter. We finished a really good three quarters here and we have one more to go.

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, I think it's exactly what X said. We're going to stay patient and try and hit the right shot all day and stay really present. We did a good job of that today. Even when we got off to a slower start, we just stayed really present and tried to do the best we could. It's all cliches at this point, but that's really what it is.

Q. On paper you're obviously one of the top teams coming in here, but did any part of how deep you guys have gone surprised you so far?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I haven't had time to think about it. In best ball you're just trying to birdie every single hole. Like I said, staying present is really key for both of us, and it'll be no different tomorrow.

Q. You guys have had some big success as individuals and part of teams, as well. What would it mean to do this together?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: It would be very special. We'd sort of add it to our sort of team scorecard and move on from there.

Q. I think your ladies, they'd be pretty happy that you got it done' they're nice friends, as well. It's sort of the evolution of this friendship you guys have built over the last two, three years, right?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, I'd say everyone gets along. Even our teams get along really well. This week has been fun with dinners and hanging out off the golf course, and it would be really special to go out and get it done tomorrow.

Q. I think you said the other day pre-tournament that you were not pleased with where your game was. Do you feel like you've kind of turned a corner this week?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Yeah, I did the right thing and I found a really good partner. So yeah, I feel great right now.

Q. I know it's a different format and all, but what is working better for you personally?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: I mean, watching really good golf and being a part of really good golf like Pat is playing right now is very helpful. It's nice to see good shots, and it's even better when they count for your score. I'm just patient. It's the same thing as how we play every tournament. Just kind of plotting along. I just knew I had to stay patient and had to go on my own run.

Q. A few people went low yesterday, lower than y'all, then y'all only had a one-stroke lead going into today. Is it kind of surprising that y'all have got it back up to five now?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Like he said, it's not really top of mind. In a format like today you're just trying to birdie every single hole, and tomorrow will be more patient, solid, smart golf, and that's something we're both really good at, so we're looking forward to the challenge.