AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP

July 13, 2024

Ray Allen

Edgewood Tahoe

Quick Quotes

Q. 24 points today; 14 yesterday. So talk about the day two improvement over day one.

RAY ALLEN: I don't know. It seems like it's such a grind when you're trying to -- you can't play a brand of golf when you're at home and then you come out here trying to assimilate to the environment, dealing with altitude. Being in this environment, we're not in too many times throughout the year.

Yesterday, I think you start being tentative in your swing. For the most part, you'll get through the ball but it will be a little off. That's how I was yesterday. And today I kind of got to be more aggressive swinging the clubs.

Q. You finished with a birdie on 18 here. So talk about how that just kind of finished your round and kind of looking ahead; -- you're currently in fourth -- looking ahead into tomorrow.

RAY ALLEN: I don't want to look at the big picture, I just want to look at each hole and kind of stick to my game plan, stay fluid with my swing.

I don't want to get too far ahead of myself where I start thinking how many birdies or what you do on certain holes. It's all about that swing, kind of staying loyal to it, the course of a round, you get tired, because sometimes you're waiting on a couple of holes. You have to wake yourself up because what happens is you sit around for a while and you start picking up your hand, don't use your body anymore, have to continually tell myself, stay focused, locked in, loyal to your swing.

Q. You're a veteran at this tournament. Talk about the crowds and the atmosphere that was out here today.

RAY ALLEN: The crowd is great. This is probably the most people I've seen ever since I've been coming here. And the energy is amazing. I love to see so many people out here. The interesting thing -- I heard somebody say this at golf events, I see it now, how many other golf events do you see men dressed up as if they're coming to play?

Maybe they might need a spot, have a spot open, they'll let me play get in there, but these guys, they've got golf shoes on. Just maybe somebody might get be able to come in, but that's just the nature of the game. People want to feel the environment, be a part of it. And it combines all walks of life, sports, entertainment, politics, media. So you see something of everybody on the planet.

Q. You have been playing here for several years. How is it for you guys just to kind of come back -- we call it a summer camp, but how is it for you guys to come back reunite for a week?

RAY ALLEN: I have seen so many great relationships with people here. You forget until you see them again. You sit back in, talk about their kids, their family, wives, husbands, and they know my family, my kids, and it's just a special, special environment to be able to come here every year in the summer, enjoy it.

The landscape is incredible. I tell everybody, when I leave here, if you haven't been to Lake Tahoe, you've got this. Wintertime is great, but summer, you just can't beat it.