SONY OPEN IN HAWAII

January 11, 2024

Chris Kirk

Waialae Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Chris, how would you characterize the first round today?

CHRIS KIRK: Very solid. Very solid. I hit the ball great today in tough conditions. It's been a few years since we played in this much wind here. A lot of years since we played in this wind direction.

From what I remember, usually when it blows out of the west like this it's relatively light. So some of those holes, some of the par-4s -- No. 1 we're used to hitting driver and a wedge in and it's a drive to mid to long iron.

5 was kind of the same way. Miss-hit my drive a little bit on 5. Had 4-iron in. I am usually hitting a wedge in there.

So, yeah, there are a couple holes that play easier, like No. 9. I was in between wedge and 9-iron for my second shot. Just the strength of the wind made it tough to really get the ball close even when you did have a wedge in your hand.

You know, tough to kind of get stable and read putts as well because the wind was definitely affecting putts out there.

Q. 5 a crosswind?

CHRIS KIRK: No, 5 was straight in; 4, the par-3, was mostly across left to right; 5 there may have been -- it may have been coming at 11:30 and not 12:00, but it was pretty much straight at us.

Q. Can pretty much get over the first bridge though?

CHRIS KIRK: Not over the first ridge. Bridge you said?

Q. Yeah.

CHRIS KIRK: 235 to cover the water. I think we got that no matter how hard it's blowing.

Q. Wind has to be refreshing after last week, isn't it?

CHRIS KIRK: It is what it is. Definitely don't mind when it blows here and plays a little bit tougher.

I've had some good results here in a lot of different conditions, so it's...

Q. What did you do on 9?

CHRIS KIRK: I took a little off a 9 and hit it to about 25 feet and two-putted for birdie. Nothing spectacular, but solid. Like I said, solid.

Q. How did the last couple days go? I don't know what it's like for you -- I know you're fairly even keel.

CHRIS KIRK: Yeah, it's hard to get your mind to slow down a little bit. Had trouble sleeping a few nights, but thankfully was able to take some naps. Slept great last night.

Really trying not to over-exert myself. Couple good workouts in the gym Monday, Tuesday to feel like you're flushing things out and getting blood flowing.

Other than that, just trying to take it easy and get ready to go again.

Q. Similar to I think something I asked last week, do you sleep better or have an easier time sleeping after a win or losing in a playoff?

CHRIS KIRK: They're both hard, but you don't mind lying awake after you win. (Smiling.)

I'll say that.