VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP

March 21, 2024

Carl Yuan

Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead)

Quick Quotes

Q. How did it play out there?

CARL YUAN: I think I played pretty good overall. Definitely had a little different mindset this morning. My wife called me this morning, told me about the birthday, so she said the only thing I'll do is have fun on the course. Yeah, don't come out here to do golf swings, just play golf. That's what I did. Yeah, it worked out pretty good.

Q. I'm confused, did your wife have to remind you that it was your birthday or what?

CARL YUAN: No, I know it was my birthday, but that's, she wanted to make sure I knew it's important that I have fun out there, no matter what I shoot.

Q. How did the course play?

CARL YUAN: I think it's pretty challenging. The rough is pretty tough. The greens got firmed up later in the afternoon. Yeah, there's some good slopes on them and good pins. You got to really hit it in the right spot to have some birdie chances.

Q. What was the best part of your game?

CARL YUAN: I think I approach it really good. My approach shots really good. Good distance control. Just had my -- didn't get myself in too much trouble. So I had a lot of birdie looks.

Q. Walk us through the Eagle on 14.

CARL YUAN: Yeah, I hit a great tee shot, it was a little downwind. I hit a perfect 4-iron I thought. It went up to 15 feet. Pretty big breaking putt, but I practiced that putt in the practice round, so I kind of know what it was going to do. So I hit it perfect on line and it went in with good speed.

Q. What was the club?

CARL YUAN: 4-iron.

Q. If your goal is to have fun today because it's your birthday, what do you do the other 364 days of the year? Is it not fun?

CARL YUAN: No, I mean, I definitely haven't been playing the way I would like to play, just, I guess, just be more myself the way I like to play golf instead of being too technical and swinging too perfectly, yeah.

Q. Was Sony an example of how you like to play golf?

CARL YUAN: Yeah, yeah. I definitely played well there and just kind of do my thing. So don't let other things get in the way, you know, trying to swing good or something, just trying to play golf, so, yeah.

Q. (No Microphone.)

CARL YUAN: I'm not sure. He might. So, yeah, probably brought some good luck today for sure. Yeah it was fun.

Q. Was it nice to have that pairing along with Kevin feeding off each other?

CARL YUAN: Yeah, for sure, we both played some great golf and, yeah, it was definitely good to have a group like that.