ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

March 2, 2023

Kurt Kitayama

Bay Hill Club and Lodge

Quick Quotes

Q. Bogey on the last won't make dinner taste any better, but just characterize the round if you could, please?

KURT KITAYAMA: Yeah, played solid all day until that last one. Obviously it's disappointing to finish like that. Definitely happy with how the day went.

Q. Obviously people talked about how difficult this golf course is. How did you kind of find it today?

KURT KITAYAMA: Yeah, I mean it's, there's no gimmie holes. You feel like you're always on edge, playing to the safe side and can't really feel like you're in attack mode at all. So it's just, it's tough. Mentally it's just grinding.

Q. That being said, what did you do so well with the 5-under par round?

KURT KITAYAMA: Felt like I just, when I was out of position I just kind of got myself back into position to either get up and down. You know, didn't try and take on pins really unless I had a wedge. Even then I was still playing to the safe side. Was able to just hit some really good shots and made a couple like longer putts. Because sometimes that's what you have to do to make birdie.

Q. Obviously you played well for three days at Pebble Beach. What have you kind -- what kind of confidence have you taken from your good play here recently?

KURT KITAYAMA: Yeah, just feel like I've been hitting my irons really well and finally started to get the putter going where I'm confident in where I'm rolling it. Like today I felt like I finally started to drive it, I hit more fairways and gave myself more opportunities.

Q. What has Tim Tucker coming on to the bag, what's he kind of done? Obviously he did a lot with Bryson. What's he kind of done to maybe help you out and maybe learn a couple things from him?

KURT KITAYAMA: Yeah, definitely. I mean, he's got a lot of knowledge. Trying to soak in as much as I can without going overload on it. He's been very helpful. We're trying new things out on the course and if it works we stick with it and if it doesn't we kind of throw it right out. So it's been good.

Q. Why do you feel like you're confident in these kind of big events, big situations? You obviously played real well at the CJ Cup kind of alongside Rory. Why do you feel comfortable playing these kind of events and in those situations?

KURT KITAYAMA: I think I feel like my game's solid and that definitely helps going into the big tournament or whatever tournament I'm playing in. Just kind of just trust the game. Try not to put too much pressure on, know you're playing well and just kind of use that.