U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN

July 10, 2024

Ford Martin

Sand Creek Station

Quick Quotes

Q. Ford, so this was your debut. Can you tell me about some of your takeaways for the week?

FORD MARTIN: First of all, I'm just overwhelmed by the competitors here. I mean, this is -- oh, my gosh the qualifier for the Adaptive Open this is my first adaptive golf tournament.

So the qualifier was my first taste of how inspirational some of the competitors are. And this is just ten times what I thought it would be in every aspect.

The way the USGA has put on this tournament, the hospitality, the communication from everyone at the USGA, keeping us up-to-date on travel, logistics, getting here, and obviously the course, Sand Creek Station has been great.

So it was a great start to the adaptive golf career and looking forward to what's next.

Q. In your debut you're currently in position to be the low American for the championship. What does that mean to you?

FORD MARTIN: That's incredible. I had an idea. There were two Americans in the top 10 last night, Chad and I. And we were lucky enough to play together today. We talked about it a little bit out there, us both wanting to catch up to the Europeans at the top the leaderboard.

I gave it my all. Kipp and Brendan got off to such hot starts and they are playing great golf.

To be the low American is just incredible. It's surreal right now. Like I said, this is my first Adaptive Open, so being the low American is awesome. We're going to get that U.S. Open on the American side here soon.

Q. Now, you were able to do that by shooting a 66 today. Talk us through your round.

FORD MARTIN: Well, it was quieter on the range today because not as many players playing today. I was feeling some nerves. I started off well. Today was the first day I reached No. 2 in two and two-putted for birdie.

Came right back and birdied No. 3.

Hit one close on 3. It seemed like yesterday all those 10-, 12-footers just curled the other way at the cup or fell a little short, but today I was getting them to the hole and they were dropping

On No, 4, made a par. I was hoping to birdie that one but made a good par

Then par on 5.

Made a good birdie on 6 from the right rough which I was happy about.

I left -- hit a great shot on the par-3 No. 7 and left one just in the jaws one roll short for another birdie

And 8 was tough. Hit a good second shot. Had about 20 feet down the hill and my comebacker about two and a half, three feet, did a 360 lip-out and ended up three-putting for a bogey there

Happy how I responded. Hit a good drive on 9 and hit one to a foot and made a birdie there

10 has been having my number all day -- I mean all week. I started on Monday with a double bogey on 10 and then bogeyed it yesterday. Today we were able to get the par. I made a good 10-footer for par up the hill to that tough pin location

And then maybe shot of the day on 11. In the left trees in the mulch and mud and to the back left pin; had a great 58 degree number. Stuck it to about seven, eight feet and made that for birdie

Seems like the birdies came in runs today.

On 12 I also had that same 80-yard number and stuck it to a foot, so good birdie there

And 14 had an unfortunate three-putt to that back pin from up on the fairway in the right side. But that's going to happen

And then 14, 15, good pars.

And then 16 I had a pitching wedge into. Hit a good drive on 16, and just missed my eagle putt was able to make birdie there

And had a makable birdie putt on 17 that just slid to the right.

But on 18, my caddie and I've been joking all day, I left so many in the heart of the hole just short all week. I was going to get it there the one on 18 from above the hole definitely had some speed coming down. Luckily hit the center of the cup and dropped.