U.S. SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

June 25, 2022

Gene Sauers

Saucon Valley C.C. (Old Course)

Quick Quotes

THE MODERATOR: Gene Sauers, 3-under 68. Gene, birdie-birdie finish. We haven't seen that a lot today. How does that feel heading into Sunday?

GENE SAUERS: That feels good. I struggled on and off today. Hit a couple bad shots today. On 12, par-5, made bogey. I've lost many golf tournaments by pulling the ball left. That's been my nemesis. I lost eight playoffs by doing that, and I did it right on 12.

I said, I'll just hit it in the middle of the green, take a two-putt, and go on. Of course I made bogey.

Like I said, birdied the last two holes, which gives me a lot of confidence going into tomorrow.

Of course Padraig is tearing it up. He's playing a 6,500 yard golf course and I'm playing a 7,500 yard golf course.

Q. What's the mindset when you know you have to go into Sunday chasing?

GENE SAUERS: You've just got to be on your A game. Like I say, in a major championship, hit fairways and give yourself opportunities. Hit the greens and hoping that -- I don't want to say anything bad, but hopefully they kind of mess up a little bit.

Somewhere along this line I'm going to need to have a two-shot swing from somewhere in the middle of the round somewhere just to keep me going.

I'm just going to try to hit the ball solid on every shot and give myself chances.

Q. We've seen a lot of birdies today. Are you surprised how gettable the hole locations were or the playability?

GENE SAUERS: There were a few good pins out there today, but like I said, there was a lot of good rounds, I think. The golf course is in such good shape. The greens are perfect. What you see is what you get, and that's the way it should be.

Q. If you weren't in contention and having won this championship, what advice would you give Padraig Harrington going into the final round tomorrow?

GENE SAUERS: Well, when I lost in the playoff to Colin Montgomerie, my caddie called Tom Watson and said, just make sure he breathes. Take three deep breaths every time just to kind of calm you down a little bit.

He's a world class player, and he's won a lot. I don't think he's going to have much of a problem.