VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP

March 16, 2023

Byeong Hun An

Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead)

Quick Quotes

Q. Bogey-free 3-under opening round. What did you like about today?

BYEONG HUN AN: Mostly everything (laughing.) I think I drove it okay. I hit some good long-iron shots into the par-3s so that makes it easier out here. They got some long and tough par-3s. So I was able to hit 'em close and make some easy pars. So I think that helps.

Bogey-free out on this course is nice. My short game was pretty decent. Made some good par putts out there. I gave myself a lot of good looks and I was definitely pretty happy with the 3-under.

Q. Challenging course. Fourth time here. What have you learned about how to navigate around this course?

BYEONG HUN AN: Not much. I don't think I've had a good finish out here yet. I think two years ago I made the cut here, but I don't think I had a good finish. Year before I missed the cut. I played this golf course a few times as a junior too and this is my fourth time playing. I really do like this golf course. It's a ball-striker's course. I never was able to play well, but maybe this year something's clicking, I don't know. But this is such a good golf course. I think it's not very long, but it's tight and it's got a lot of trees. So, like I said, something must have clicked today. I just made a lot of par putts and hopefully I can do that for three more days.

Q. You played well today. What takeaways will you take going into tomorrow?

BYEONG HUN AN: Hopefully I can keep this tee to green -- a few iffy drivers, but definitely the irons I felt pretty good today. So I think the key is hitting nice long irons out there. So do that same next three days. And then I hope I can make more putts. Sound easy, but it's pretty hard, but, yeah, we'll see.