ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

March 8, 2024

Justin Thomas

Bay Hill Club and Lodge

Quick Quotes

Q. Can you talk about how difficult it is out there or getting? Seems like it's firmer, faster.

JUSTIN THOMAS: Yeah, definitely the latter. Yeah, obviously, you don't know what's going to happen. I definitely, it appears that I'm going to have great tee times this week. I think it's only going to get firmer and faster as the day goes on. I could tell just literally on 2, I mean, usually in the morning with a little bit of moisture, chips will kind of skid, but I had one that was probably four, five yards short of the green after my tee shot, very basic chip, and the sound it made when it landed, I was like, I handed Bones my wedge and got my putter and I was like, Did you hear that? And I'm like, this is, this could be tough today. But, yeah, it's Bay Hill. It got very, very firm and fast on the weekend last year and it seems like it's trending that way again.

Q. You must feel pretty good coming in the way you did.

JUSTIN THOMAS: Yeah, I do. I hit some God-awful shots that, really, all my over par holes were literally just four swings, I felt like. I missed a couple putts I feel like I could have made, but I was really very proud of myself. After a pretty bad start, and then going birdie, eagle on 5 and 6, and then just hitting a God-awful tee shot on 8 and making double. Then just slowly bringing it back and staying patient. I made some really, really good putts, hit some really, really quality shots. You have to do -- to shoot under par, feeling like you don't really have great stuff, is nice.

Q. Second shots on 6 and 8, can you go through those?

JUSTIN THOMAS: Second shot on 6? I had 193 hole. Yeah, it's a wild situation, because the tee shot was very, very down wind, and the second shot is very, very into the wind, just with how it's shaped. I wanted to just, where the pin was, I didn't want it to go on the other side of the hill. I felt like landing it about six short, which was kind of between the front and the hole, was a perfect number. It's just, you don't want to bring that front edge in too much with the water there.

I just hit it really, really nice, just kind a flush, hold 6-iron, kind of like a 94, 95 shot that landed that perfect six short and went up there.

Q. What were you trying to do on 8?

JUSTIN THOMAS: My second shot? From the pine straw? I just was trying to -- it was one where it was a -- it's a 5-iron number, but a little bit of hurt. That was more of just a, let's try to make a 5. It's not really a, let's-make-a-4 situation. If we get away with one, maybe have a look at it. I hit the 4 for that reason, where, if I pulled it, I felt like it at least was going to cover the water. It came out pretty low to where I wasn't sure, and just -- I mean, it was a tough lie, but I didn't hit a very good chip and that was a bad hole.

Q. Are you getting any distance, getting your swing back where you like it, have you regained distance?

JUSTIN THOMAS: I've gained a little speed, I would say. I feel stronger, I feel like we've been doing some good stuff in the gym and treatment-wise to where I feel like I'm moving well. It's not cold like it was in the West Coast. You get in this hot, humid, the ball just goes so far. It's hard to trust it sometimes at a place like this where you're hitting over water like half your shots.

Q. Next week, I know you're focused on winning this, it would be a great addition to your resume. Next week, obviously, a special meaning to you, having won there. Do you have memories, besides your win, any stand out to you? I'm sure you grew up watching the event, given your background, you've been watching THE PLAYERS forever.

JUSTIN THOMAS: Yeah, I have a lot of great memories. To be perfectly honest, it sounds, I don't know, it might sound arrogant, but a lot of memories are my own. I love that place. I've had a lot of great rounds. I had a lot of good success. I think it's a really, really fun course to play. I just think it's one of those places, no matter where you're at in the tournament, whether you're teeing up on Thursday or Sunday with a chance to win, or you're in 60th, like, I just feel like if you play well you can really get it going. Those are fun places to play.

Q. Was the best round the wind round?

JUSTIN THOMAS: Yeah, that was probably one of the best rounds I've ever played.