THE CJ CUP BYRON NELSON

May 4, 2024

Sung Kang

TPC Craig Ranch

Quick Quotes

Q. Sung, wonderful round of golf.

SUNG KANG: Thank you.

Q. I know starts have been few and far between. What did you find? To make the cut yesterday on the number I know had to be a momentum builder into today, and then a fantastic round of golf.

SUNG KANG: I mean, until yesterday through 17th hole I didn't realize I wasn't really concentrated as much I needed, so on the 18th hole yesterday I looked at the leaderboard and I was tied for 41st and weather seemed to be getting better.

So I'm thinking like this score may not make the cut. Then I had about 12 feet putt for birdie and I'm like, I have to make this, and so I really concentrated and then make the putt.

And then I talk to my caddie, and it's kind of weird. I haven't been making any putts at all like last three weeks or so. It's kind of if I need to make something I make it, but normally why don't I make it. Must be some sort of concentration stuff, because was kind of weird.

So I thought about it a little bit, so now I'm approaching a little differently mindset-wise. It feels like I'm in a war. I'm actually shooting today I'm in a war trying to kill someone, so every shot -- before I wasn't really thinking about the outcome; just hit it; just go through the process.

But today, I want to hit this one good. If I don't hit this one good, I'll be dead or something like that. That was the mindset so it made me feel a little bit different. I was actually able to concentrate a little bit better and I could see the shot little bit clearer and then started making putts, hit it even better.

So that's why I think I had a better round today.

Q. Obviously a tournament that means a lot to you having won here. This week to see the growth of Korean golf and the amount of players here, a 16 year old makes the cut. What does this start mean to you and this tournament and then to be able to play well today has to be more special?

SUNG KANG: Obviously I won this tournament five years ago and then the Craig Ranch is my home course. I've been here at least last 15 years practicing here, so I know the course probably better than anybody in the field.

Then the sponsor is Korean and there are a bunch of players well this week. And then I heard, I mean, 16 year old make the cut first event on PGA TOUR event. It's not just any professional, it is PGA TOUR event as a 16 year old making the cut.

Plus also a low round. You needed to shoot better than 6-under par. On PGA TOUR that is something amazing I think.