ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

March 8, 2024

Emiliano Grillo

Bay Hill Club and Lodge

Quick Quotes

Q. Great playing. How much has this golf course evolved in terms of difficulty from Thursday to Friday?

EMILIANO GRILLO: Yeah, it's getting very dry, especially on the greens. The ball's rolling a little bit more in the fairway. If it keeps going this way, tomorrow's going to be harder to hit fairways, and definitely harder to make putts. So, it's only going to get harder.

Q. Can you talk about the mental commitment that it requires to play this golf course, just in terms of being committed, even when you're not exactly sure how the ball's going to react?

EMILIANO GRILLO: Yeah, landing areas are so small that you have to be as precise as you can. Like I say, it's only going to get smaller. Right now, you're looking at six, seven, eight yards. Tomorrow it's going to be three, four. That's what I'm expecting, at least. Hopefully, I'm wrong. Hopefully, it will be a bit easier. But, yeah, you got to commit to it, you got to pick your target, pick your number, and hope for a good swing.

Q. Speaking of commitment, you talked about your renewed commitment to putting and embracing putting practice. How did that come about?

EMILIANO GRILLO: I didn't have another choice, I guess. I was DFL in putting. I was able to turn it around a couple of years, three, four years of good practice, and stick to it. I started practicing with my coach and I trusted him. I said, You know, why not? It can only get better, it cannot get worse. I was here on TOUR for five, six years being 180th in putting. I just committed to one thing, and now I'm looking forward to getting some practice and going out there and having opportunities.

Q. You got the umbrella on your shirt, you're at a signature event at Bay Hill, one of the iconic spots on the PGA TOUR. Does it feel like a signature event with the quality of players and what's at stake this week?

EMILIANO GRILLO: I think so. I've always enjoyed playing out here. To me, it was always a signature event out here. It was one of the very few tournaments in my calendar at the beginning of the year. Making it a smaller field or bigger field, if I'm qualified for the event, I'm going to be here. I love playing here.