JOHN DEERE CLASSIC

July 9, 2023

Alex Smalley

TPC Deere Run

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: What was that like watching that all unfold and seeing Sepp obviously put up a low one as you're trying to chase that entire back nine?

ALEX SMALLEY: Sure. So I wasn't paying attention to any of that. I didn't know about it until Colt Knost was with our group, and he said something when we were on 11 that we should probably birdie in coming in because Sepp was doing something crazy. Like he was 11- or 12-under through 16 or something.

I actually had no idea what was going on. I didn't look at all, and that was my plan. I try not to look because I just wanted to do what I was focused on, and I felt like I did that pretty well today.

If it wasn't enough, then it wasn't enough, and Sepp deserves to win with a 62. That's incredible playing.

THE MODERATOR: How do you just kind of assess the way you got around today?

ALEX SMALLEY: Yeah, very happy with it. I think this was my first Sunday in the last group. So I knew kind of going into today that it was going to be a learning experience whether it was good or bad, and it certainly was.

I felt like I did a lot of really good things today. Just turned out I needed to shoot 7- or 8-under. Overall very, very happy with the week. It's hard to be disappointed with a tie for second I think it was, so yeah, very happy.

Q. Describe the round. Was it frustrating for you? Did you get as much out of it as you could? What exactly were you going through out there all 18 holes?

ALEX SMALLEY: Yeah, as I mentioned, it was my first Sunday in the last group. I birdied two of the first three holes, so I couldn't really imagine getting off to a much better start that would kind of settle me down a little bit.

Made another birdie on 6. I'm glad I hit the hole. Probably would have been five or six feet by.

I played the front really well. Had a couple good opportunities that I didn't capitalize on. Felt like I played the back relatively well, again. Got an unlucky break on 13 and hit a good third shot in there and just missed the putt.

Yeah, I mean, I felt like I had a lot of really good chances, and today a few of them just didn't drop.

Q. You mentioned a couple of times, first Sunday in the final group. Did it feel different out there, and what did it feel like to you?

ALEX SMALLEY: I've played with Brendon a few times before, so I think that helped kind of going into the round. I knew him. I knew his game.

I think I was in worse shape getting ready to come to the golf course in the hotel room than I was with when I got here because I'm used to playing golf and doing that kind of thing.

I felt comfortable once I got here. Yeah, probably in the morning that it was a little tougher for me.

Q. Obviously take a lot from this week, though, don't you?

ALEX SMALLEY: Oh, absolutely. Any time you can finish tied for second, it's hard to be upset with that.

Yeah, a lot of positives for this week, and hopefully I can keep it going next week.