ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

March 2, 2023

Xander Schauffele

Bay Hill Club and Lodge

Quick Quotes

Q. How would you characterize the round today?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Yeah, I would take a 4-under. Wind picked up in the middle of the round. Actually died down, which is pretty nice later in the day. So 4-under is a good start.

Q. Good start on a golf course that was playing as tough as you kind of maybe thought it might play?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Yeah, the greens were really firm. If you're out of position you're working hard for a par. And then maybe being smart to make bogey.

Q. Does playing a tournament like this on a course like this kind of prepare you for what's coming up here in the next month or so?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: I think so, yeah. You have to hit your shots and hit your spots and if you don't you're in trouble. So I think it gets you in the right mindset.

Q. What did you do best today that you feel like helped with your 4-under par round?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: I feel like I hung in there. There were times where I wanted to be more aggressive -- and Austin was pretty good. On the first hole I told him -- we're 180 out and couldn't aim at the pin, just for starters. So I told him it's going to be a long day just because of that. I told him to keep me honest throughout the round and not get too greedy. So I think we made one mistake on the day that cost me a bogey, but other than that it was pretty clean.

Q. Sounds like a little bit like you feel like you could have been a couple lower maybe?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: No, it was probably right on par with where I was at. I didn't hit it like amazing. I was on a lot of fringes, I mishit a couple shots a little thin. They weren't in bad spots by no means, but it was probably right at where I should be.

Q. With what is forecast with the wind tomorrow, is getting off to a start like this kind of imperative?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Yeah, it will be interesting, no doubt. I think we'll have to assess once we get on property.