NV5 INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY OLD NATIONAL BANK

May 28, 2022

Davis Thompson

Press Conference

Q. Davis, 62 today. I don't know if you're aware or not, tied the tournament course record. Take us through what was working for you.

DAVIS THOMPSON: Really everything. I mean, got off to a nice start. Didn't hit a lot of greens early on, but was only 1-under through six and I knew scores are probably going to be pretty low today.

So, I mean, thankfully I just made some putts during the middle of my round, and then nice to finish with a birdie on 18.

Q. Did you just come into the day feeling good or was it after a few holes momentum started building and you were like, all right, this could be a real good one for me?

DAVIS THOMPSON: I feel like I was playing well all week. Yesterday I was bogey-free in the cold, wind, and rain so I knew I was hitting it nice.

I just needed some putts to drop and they started falling today.

Q. So this will be your best placement heading into the final round. Kind of what's the mentality going into it?

DAVIS THOMPSON: I'm going to enjoy the challenge. I'm there for a reason. Might as well keep it going and try to have an aggressive mindset.

I mean, it'll be a great learning experience one way or the other, but I'm just happy to be playing better golf. Seems like throughout the year my game has been a little inconsistent, so feels nice to have things clinic in the right way.

Q. I was going to ask about that, too. Your rookie season on the Korn Ferry Tour, first Top 10 a couple weeks ago. Overall how do you feel about your game and where it is right now?

DAVIS THOMPSON: I feel good this week. I felt good the entire year honestly.

As a rookie you're dealing with a lot more factors, like the travel and all that stuff, so it's just trying to get more settled and more comfortable out here.

But happy to be playing well this week.

Q. What's the No. 1 thing you learned just being out here in your rookie season?

DAVIS THOMPSON: I would say don't get too emotional over one tournament or one round. In college you play probably ten events all year during two semesters, and I think this is my either 11th or 12th event already in this calendar year.

So you can't get too high or to low. You're probably going to play again next week, so you just got to stay even keel.

Q. The Georgia program is so well documented, the guys that are out on tour. Who is somebody that maybe reached out to you that you kind of chat with a lot that's helped you along this first year of being pro?

DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, I would say Brendon Todd and Harris English. Brendon still lives in Athens, so when I was in college he would come out and practice with us and I would kind of pick his brain.

Kind of same with Harris, except he lives in Seattle now. I live down there as well, so I've kind of picked his brain as well because he's had a great year. I'm excited for him to get back after having surgery.

But, yeah, I would say those two guys, all the good guys, it's a nice fraternity. We are all rooting for each other.

Q. They probably told you some things to be ready for. What caught you off guard since you turned pro last summer that you had to learn maybe the rough way?

DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, I mean, it's just completely different. Just because I had a good college career doesn't mean I'm going to be immediately successful on the professional ranks. That's kind of been a little humbling.

But it's been good. I've just worked hard and tried to get better. Try to get one shot better each tournament.

Yeah, it's been a crazy past almost year now, so it's been good.

Q. And then obviously, I mean, kind of the group of Hovland, Matt Wolff and Morikawa, that group came out. Instant success. Did you think there is a little undue pressure now on you guys coming right out of college that it's like it's supposed to be years and now it's like you're expected to do it within three months? Do you think there is an undue pressure on some of top elite college kids?

DAVIS THOMPSON: I don't know if it's pressure -- I mean, I put pressure on myself. I think it's players putting pressure on themselves, which usually doesn't lead to good golf.

But, yeah, I mean, that's kind of like the fairytale way to do it. Get sponsor's exemptions right out of college and play well and get your card. It's really hard to do, to immediately transition from college to playing really well professionally.

But those guys obviously did it, and, you know, kudos to them. I feel like more normal route is what I'm doing or what some of these other guys are doing. I'm just grateful to be out here.

Q. I got to say, you're very stoic on the course. I'm sure you're going inside, right? There is a lot turning inside?

DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah.

Q. Have you always had that, like you just don't really show much on the outside when you're playing?

DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, I would say so. I played basketball in high school and I was the same way. I just tried to be as even keel as possible, be present.

But like you said, emotionally inside there is some things going, but it's kind of always been my mentality to be as even keel as possible.

Q. What are you most looking forward to tomorrow in the situation that you're in?

DAVIS THOMPSON: Just the challenge. This is why you practice, this is why you play, this is why you hit all those balls. It's just -- you know, like I said, you can't get too emotional. I'm playing next week, so looking forward to just trying to play a good round tomorrow and try to win, and then go play next week.