SONY OPEN IN HAWAII

January 12, 2024

Hunter Larson

Waialae Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Talk about today after a rough first round.

HUNTER LARSON: Felt a lot more comfortable. Just as I was telling them over there, first experiences are always interesting. You try to have in your mind how it's going to be, but it's always different.

Today I was just a little bit more comfortable. Definitely didn't play good golf, but knowing that I wasn't going to make the cut the whole idea was soaking up the experience.

I have a lot of people here, too. I don't know if that put extra pressure on myself with that, but it was nice to share that experience with close friends and family. Being the first one, I got that out of the way and I'm excited to win section champ next year and get back here.

Q. I think on the back nine for you, kind of worn down at that point, do you think?

HUNTER LARSON: 8 I just hit -- I pushed a drive left. It hit the tree and went in the hazard. Then I hit a decent punch shot under the trees and played Chitty Chitty Bang Bang out of the bunkers back and forth. That will add up to a big one really fast.

Q. Talk about going back to the Big Island and having this experience, carrying it with you in the future.

HUNTER LARSON: Yeah, obviously not like I got to go back to the drawing board. Just being comfortable in these situations. I have PGA National Championship in April in Texas, that's a big one.

My job is to soak in this experience and be as comfortable as I possibly can in this environment and try to take that experience and move forward to the next one.

Q. You mentioned the following that you had, people from the Big Island, Hawai'i. When they announce your name when you start, you get a big pop from the crowd. What did that mean to you? I know you said it might have added some pressure. Having that kind of support out here in a professional tournament in Hawai'i, what did that mean to you you?

HUNTER LARSON: It's awesome. A little bit emotional. Those people must love me, because the type of golf I was playing, to walk 18 holes and follow me, those are very close friends family. I'm so grateful. They obviously would've want me to play better but they continue to do support me.

Their energy was probably better than mine, especially the doldrums in the round when you start making some bad scores. Everywhere I go I can't tell you how many handshakes and people I saw. That experience in and of itself, it's good to get that one out of way. I'm hoping to be back here next year, and I'm sure hopefully I'll get same following.

A little bit less of the regalia around it and more about me coming and taking care of business.