THE 150TH OPEN

July 14, 2022

Webb Simpson

Mixed Zone

Q. I was curious, a start like that in the championship, first round out, what did it feel like early on?

WEBB SIMPSON: It felt great. I was in a great position, no stress around this golf course. But hit a great shot on 8, hit it over the green in a tough spot. Misjudged in the lie on 10 and then a bad swing on 12. I kind of had all in a row, a few mistakes but hung in there. Not exactly what I wanted, but not a bad start.

Q. With links golf and how fast it's running, how do you embrace this kind of challenge?

WEBB SIMPSON: You kind of learn as you go. The golf course is getting more firm every day. With all the little bumps and hills, you can never be as precise as you want to be because sometimes it lands on an upslope and sometimes it can land on a downslope. It could be the difference of 30, 40 yards in a roll.

You just kind of have to have an attitude of you're going to commit to a general number and accept the bounces.

Q. Speaking of general number and bounces, when you get to this range, it was in Jubilee Course, is there anything that helps your visualization on that range, and were you able to practice?

WEBB SIMPSON: I would say normally probably yes, but this week we've had the strong left-to-right wind, so I've tried not to hit too many balls just because left-to-right wind for a right-handed golfer is a death wish. You won't see me up there too much. I might hit about 20 balls, but that will be it.

Q. It was released through R&A this week and you've got the huge championship in Muirfield for the women coming up. Obviously it's never been done at Muirfield before. What do you make of that change?

WEBB SIMPSON: I think it will be great. Muirfield is an amazing golf course. My three favorite Opens are all in Scotland, Muirfield, Carnoustie, and St Andrews. I was a big fan.

When we were there in '13, I believe it was '13, it was crispy like this place. Hopefully they can get it similar to that for the ladies. I think they'll enjoy it.

Q. Not that you know all the ladies by heart and their games, but what kind of player on the LPGA tour would tend to be favored?

WEBB SIMPSON: I think length matters there. A few of the longer hitters were in contention. I do think length is a good thing. Where a lot of the links courses, length is not that big of a deal, but I think there it could pay off.

Q. Kordas and Green --

WEBB SIMPSON: Exactly.

Q. You should write a book on Scottish history after being here. You and Paul were here for Tom Watson's final round in '15. You're here with Lawrie. You guys need to write a book.

WEBB SIMPSON: Exactly.

Q. Can I just ask about the pins today? They seemed to be tough.

WEBB SIMPSON: They were very tough, yeah. It seems like the wind is not going to blow that hard today. Maybe they wanted to challenge us more there, but they were very difficult.

Q. When everybody was putting up 59s and stuff, did you ever see that over there?

WEBB SIMPSON: Not this firm. If it was how I think it normally is, a little less firm, yes, I think that could have been possible. When it's this firm, it's almost impossible to play away from the bunkers like you can when it's softer, like 15 and 10 and 5 in 2000. So I think it's still out there, but not this week.