JOHN DEERE CLASSIC

July 4, 2024

Eric Cole

TPC Deere Run

Quick Quotes

THE MODERATOR: Eric, 9-under to start the John Deere Classic. How were you feeling out there today?

ERIC COLE: It was good. Yeah, good day; 62 is always a good thing, especially to start a tournament on the PGA TOUR.

It was good. Game felt good. We had very scorable conditions, so nice to hit some good shots and make some birdies out there.

Q. Having seen Springer's number earlier in the day, does that kind of put a chip on your shoulder to know that, hey, you have to score low and be maybe -- letting you know the number is out there?

ERIC COLE: Yeah, I mean, when you see someone shoot 59 you know it's probably going to be a scorable day, but you know to shoot that number he had to play great. And there are so many great players out here that it's not all that surprising now when someone does it.

Yeah, when that happens you kind of get the feeling there will be a lot of birdie opportunities out there, and hopefully just play your game and make some yourself.

Q. It's been a bit of an up and down season for you so far. Top 10 finish last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Do you feel as though something has clicked the last couple weeks that helped you get things rolling in the right direction?

ERIC COLE: Maybe a little bit. I'm definitely playing a little better recently, so that's always welcome for me.

But we've been playing a long stretch of some really difficult courses. Memorial is in there, U.S. Open in there, a lot of difficult courses. If you're just a little off, looks like you're a lot off.

My game felt decent but definitely trending in the right direction recently.

Q. When did you become aware of the 59 on the course today?

ERIC COLE: I think my caddie said someone shot 59 maybe on like 5 or 6 today.

Q. Did it change your mentality at all? You shot 30 on the back; you're always looking to score low. When you hear 59 does that change how you approach the game?

ERIC COLE: Not really. Not for me. The scores are historically pretty low at this tournament, so whether someone shoots 61, 59, doesn't make a huge difference as far as any strategy.

Still trying to hit good shots and give yourself as many birdie chances as you can get.

Q. Do you think you can pinpoint what was different on the back nine?

ERIC COLE: I don't know. I think there is a couple more scorable holes on the back nine. There is a drivable hole, two par-5s. That kind of helps a little bit.

I made maybe a few more putts on the back, so you put those together and the score is going to be a little lower.

Q. What's the mentality heading into tomorrow? You shoot 62 and three shots back. You obviously know that that score is maybe out there tomorrow. How does that change how you go into tomorrow?

ERIC COLE: Yeah doesn't really change much. The scores are going to be really low. I seriously doubt 12-under is going to win the tournament, so you got a lot of work to do no matter what position you're starting tomorrow off.

Just going to try and keep what I was working on today, and the way I was putting, keep that going into tomorrow.

Q. It sounded like you were very pleased with your 62. Do you have to kind of adjust your perspective when you shoot 62 and you're still three back?

ERIC COLE: Yeah, I mean, the way I think about it, not really. I'm trying to shoot as low as I can, and like I said, I don't think 12-under is going to win the tournament.

Everyone has a long way to go. Everyone needs to be making a lot of birdies, hopefully I'm one of them.

Q. You kind of found a comfort zone here at this course over the last few years, haven't you?

ERIC COLE: I really like the golf course. I think it's fun to play. You can make birdies on it, which with the long stretch through the middle of the year is definitely very welcome for me to play a course that's a little more playable.

Yeah, I like the Quad Cities, Midwest so I'm always happy to come here and look forward to this tournament.