THE SENIOR OPEN PRESENTED BY ROLEX

July 21, 2022

Jerry Kelly

PGA Centenary at Gleneagles

Quick Quotes

Q. 5-under 65. Talk us through the final five holes.

JERRY KELLY: Yeah, I was feeling really good out there. Very solid and just made birdie and had a good hole on 7 and took a practise swing on 8. Couldn't hold on to my club. I hit 6-iron about 130 yards on that hole, and I was -- I got mad because I don't -- I mean, it's like you're so weak; you're getting injured. You go down a little rabbit hole right there.

I made a good par putt on 12. Surprised I could even get it over those cross-bunkers, and then I told myself to turn it positive. There's a negative out there but try to find some way to be positive instead of dwelling on it. Then all of a sudden, that happens.

So apparently the mental game is pretty important.

Q. In all seriousness, how much did that test the resolve out there?

JERRY KELLY: Like I said, I was going down the rabbit hole feeling sorry for myself. Oh, man, I was feeling so good; I was under par; I had the easy holes in front of me, you know, and now this. The old woe-is-me story. Basically told myself to shut up and go play some golf, and it worked out. I'm very happy.

I know I'll feel good tomorrow and it's just, you know, one of those things of getting old, stuff pops up.

Q. When did the momentum kick in?

JERRY KELLY: Really, on 12 when I finally made a longer putt for par. And knew I had some holes that I could get and I just, like I said, that was the momentum changer, and then the birdies came from there.

Q. Give us the highlight of those five birdies coming in to shoot 65.

JERRY KELLY: I had about two feet total on 13 and 14. That was pretty good. I hit it a foot on both of them. I was a little bothered by my putter, so I'm glad I had really short ones to start that stretch.

Q. Conditions quite conducive this morning, do. You like this golf course?

JERRY KELLY: I love it. I just love playing over here, period. I like when you have to know where to land the ball, not just fly it to the pin.

You know, it takes a lot more creativity over here to play the game and I enjoy that a lot.