JOHN DEERE CLASSIC

July 2, 2022

J.T. Poston

TPC Deere Run

Quick Quotes

Q. J.T., the eagle at 17 really opened up the space again, didn't it? Was that big?

J.T. POSTON: Yeah, that was huge kind of going into tomorrow I think. I didn't quite -- I wasn't quite as sharp today off the tee and had to play a little defensive into some of the greens.

Yeah, it is nice to put two good swings on there and make that putt to kind of capitalize and get some ground back that I had lost those first 15, 16 holes.

Q. A little more up and down than the first two days and yet you're still leading by three. What does that do for you knowing that maybe I don't have my best game and I can still put together a low number?

J.T. POSTON: Yeah, it feels good. Obviously the first two days I had everything working great. Hitting it great off the tee, irons, and making a lot of putts.

And today wasn't as sharp tee to green and didn't putt it as we'll. To be able to still shoot 4-under, which is still very solid today, that gives me some confidence going into tomorrow.

Hopefully hit it better, but if I don't, I still got the ability to shoot a decent number.

Q. With the putter so low the first two rounds, back nine couple of holes, some birdies and then the three-putt on 12. Did it just get away from you mentally there?

J.T. POSTON: No, I don't think it was mentally. I just kept hitting it to some of these -- I kept leaving myself 80-footers it felt like. Some of the longest putts on the golf course, and a lot of them were kind of up the hill, down the hill, double breakers, and just tough putts in general to get in the three-foot window where you feel real comfortable.

You know, there were a couple that I wish I could get back, couple of the birdie putts and obviously the three-putts, but overall, I still feel good over the putter. I'm hitting a lot of good putts. I just didn't quite match up the read or the speed today.

Q. Your worst round of the week is better than most as we're looking at this week. Can you talk about how you're just keeping it all so composed?

J.T. POSTON: I'm just -- yeah, that's just it. Just trying to stay patient and composed. I'm not trying to get too ahead of myself. Just trying to take it one hole at a time.

Being in this position, I'm trying to focus especially on the shot in front of me and do the best I can and go from there.

Q. You have this even keel demeanor about you. Where does that come from?

J.T. POSTON: I've just kind of always been that way I think. Just try not to show too much emotions, try not to get too upset if I make a mistake or try not to get too excited or ahead of myself if I'm playing well.

Again, goes back to focusing on what's in front of me to get the job done.

Q. Talked about the Barbasol experience yesterday. Is there one or two things you'll call on to maybe finish off?

J.T. POSTON: Yeah, there I was in a similar position, and I think I just have to look at it it's a 72-hole tournament and I'm 54 holes through. There is still a lot of golf to be played. You see the scores on the leaderboard today. Guys can go low.

I'm sure one of those guys that are right behind me are going to shoot a number like that. I can't go out there and play defensive and try and par to death and hope that it works out.

I need to go out there and play aggressive and play to the last hole the last putt.

Q. Do you have a number in mind then for tomorrow?

J.T. POSTON: No, not really. I think I'm just -- again, it's one hole at a time, one shot. If I start thinking about a number, at the end of the day, that's not really sticking to that game plan.

I've been getting off to good starts. I've been making enough birdies to where I can shoot a low numbers if I can keep the mistakes out of there. Just going to try and keep making a bunch birdies.

Q. How much of being a wire to wire, or at least wire to wire at this point, a mental game more than a...

J.T. POSTON: It's something that I'm a little new to. I haven't really done that where I've been leading after each round. Yeah, I kept telling myself there is a lot of golf left.

When your leading it's easy to start thinking about the finish line, but I've got so much golf in front of me. I'm trying to just focus on -- I want to go out there and play the first nine holes, the first few really well and pad that lead, and then I can approach the back nine or go from there.

Q. There is a lot at stake tomorrow. A win, an Open spot. Can you start thinking about that?

J.T. POSTON: No, not really. You know in the back of your head that that's part of it, but I've been in this position before. I've won out here before, so I'm just going to try and draw on that and try not focus on all the stuff outside of what I'm doing.

Q. What is this like compared to '19 then? (No microphone)

J.T. POSTON: Winning a golf tournament. I mean, that's what you're trying to do. You're trying to play 72 really good holes. Right now I've played 54 good ones.

You know, Wyndham I came from behind and played well on Sunday to kind of -- I don't think I had the lead until maybe 15 or 16 that year, so this is a little different.

Again, it's like I keep saying. It's a 72-hole tournament. I'm trying to focus on that and stick to that game plan.