JOHN DEERE CLASSIC

June 30, 2022

Chris Naegel

TPC Deere Run

Quick Quotes

Q. Just get some opening comments about round one.

CHRIS NAEGEL: Got off to a good start holing a wedge on ten for eagle, and then just kind of threw some more birdies on the back nine, and then tried to hang on a little bit on the front.

But overall, awesome day. It was a good day.

Q. Took about that front nine. Looked like it was a little bit of an adventure out there with everything you did coming in the stretch.

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah. Wind kicked up a little bit and then, I don't know, just got caught out between a couple clubs here and there.

Made a mess of a couple holes and then made a few more birdies and tried to make a mess of last two, but got away with it on 8 and here we are.

Q. That was a pretty key putt.

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah, yeah.

Q. 15 feet?

CHRIS NAEGEL: 15, 20 feet.

Q. Tell us a little bit who is Chris Naegel. We've seen you here a couple times before, but it's been a while since you've been back. Who is Chris Naegel?

CHRIS NAEGEL: Just a guy just playing golf here and there when I can. This is my third John Deere. I think I played both years Spieth won, and then been playing Korn Ferry Tour for quite sometime. Haven't played much this year. U.S. Open, couple Mondays here and there, mini tour event in St. Louis, and the John Deere.

Q. There is some mention in your bio, kids growing up, been busy. Thinking about end of the trail, does a day like today kind of change the thinking?

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah, I don't know if there is an end of the trail in golf. You can play it forever. If I can play I'll keep playing. I've got great support. Little boys were up here last night and they went to The Big Dig and had a blast.

So, yeah, I mean, it works in our family, so I'll keep playing.

Q. Talk about the continued chase. Are you content playing Korn Ferry Tour, or do you still have that ultimate goal of being full time out here an PGA Tour?

CHRIS NAEGEL: I want to play the PGA Tour. I don't think anybody wants to play the rest of their life on the Korn Ferry Tour, even though it's a phenomenal tour. This is where you want to play, so try to get as many opportunities out here as you can.

Q. What does it mean to you then when you can turn a four spotter on Monday into a great first round like this and some pretty high hopes for the week?

CHRIS NAEGEL: I mean, it's great. Obviously playing pretty well, so just try to put one foot in front of the other and see what happens at the end of the week.

Q. When you holed it for eagle on 10, that had to be a pretty good jump start for you, right?

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah, for sure. Hit a good tee shot. Couldn't really go for it with that pin back left because it's just a second-shot tournament; a lot can go awry there.

So laid it up and had a good number. Hit a good wedge obviously.

But, yeah, I wouldn't say it like relaxed me, but I was like, Okay, let's go make some birdies now.

Q. What's the attitude when you take the course given the opportunities are few and far between? Aggressive mindset?

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah, I mean, this is a bonus, so I got nothing to lose. Just go out and have fun and try to make birdies.

Q. Trust your swing.

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah, I mean, I'm out here teeing it up, so could play a little bit.

Q. Was The Open a lift for you?

CHRIS NAEGEL: Sure. I played all four days. I was a little disappointed because I didn't feel like I hit it that well, but I managed it well enough to play all four days.

Yeah, it's always fun.

Q. You seem confident, but do you get down and does a 67 on a Friday at the Open erase any doubts if there are any doubts?

CHRIS NAEGEL: I mean, you're playing golf. I don't know if there is much to be down about. That's kind of the way I look at it I guess.

Q. Just feel like you're free wheeling most of the time.

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah, just go out and have fun. It's just golf.

Q. What was your schedule? You played the U.S. Open and then what did you do between there and here?

CHRIS NAEGEL: I went home, practiced a little bit, put a couple baseboards in the house. I've been renovating my kitchen over the winter, so that's kind of my project.

Yeah, went and played with some buddies back home. I didn't do the Hartford Monday, so I came home and then planned on doing this one.

Q. Is there a day job?

CHRIS NAEGEL: No.

Q. Just going to keep going at if for as long as you can?

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah. We got some other stuff going on, but I don't have like a full-time desk job.

Q. Some confidence about it golf course having played to a few times.

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah, I like it. It's fun.

Q. Good support out there?

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah.

Q. Got the Midwest feel?

CHRIS NAEGEL: Yeah, got the Midwest feel. Got some Iowans out there.