THE 152ND OPEN

July 19, 2024

Patrick Cantlay

Mixed Zone

Q. From yesterday to today, would you call it a process of adaptation to this course?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I definitely hit it better today, and the front nine was a little more gettable with the conditions we had compared to yesterday, and did most of my scoring there.

Q. 3-under is probably going to hold up as the round of the day. Can you help us understand how good of a round that is?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, it was a really a good round I played today. Actually had a few putts that could have gone on the back nine. Hit some good putts that didn't go in. All in all, I'm very pleased with today and in a good spot for the weekend.

Q. I imagine scoring well feels good anywhere you do it, but when you do it in conditions like this, does it stand out to you?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, it's definitely a different test. There's some shots where you're just trying to get it in the right area, and it takes a good two-putt and you're happy with par and you move on to the next hole. There's quite a few holes like that out there today, and I'm sure it'll play like that this afternoon if the wind picks up even more.

Q. Many of you guys are fans of Tiger. When you know what he's been in past years, is it hard to see him struggle as a fellow competitor?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, anytime being out with Tiger is great. He's a great competitor and fun to be with. We had a great pairing. Especially having my buddy Xander in the group. The three of us had fun.

Q. Do you find at all you want to see that piece of him that was dominating back in the day? What's it like when he is not up to the standards?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I've seen enough video of him dominating to know what he has. Anytime being around him on the golf course is a pleasure.

Q. Obviously you're focusing on your own game, but when you see Tiger struggling compared to what he was and what he has done in the past, is there a certain amount of sympathy, sadness at seeing a great competitor who's maybe not the competitor he once was?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Well, I wasn't out on Tour early 2000s. I'm sure those guys don't have any sympathy after going through what they went through. I'm always pulling for him, as I think the rest of the world of golf is.

Q. What did you gain in confidence from having a strong finish at the U.S. Open that can help you this weekend?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, I played well at the U.S. Open, played well at Travelers. I feel like my game is in a good spot. I think anytime you get into contention, play well, give yourself a chance, it kind of builds on itself and you can draw on those memories going forward in other big events.

Q. Do you adjust your game being over here?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, definitely hit it lower, especially off the tee. There's a lot of positional tee shots this week where you really only want to hit it 260 yards or so, and with the crosswinds or into the wind, I'm hitting those tee shots almost as low as I can.

Q. Is that comfortable for you? I know you like to see the ball come off a certain way in a certain window.

PATRICK CANTLAY: It is. It's comfortable. I like flighting the golf ball down, so in windy conditions around a golf course like this today, it suits me.

Q. Was the wind different today or was it similar?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Similar direction. Maybe a little stronger come the back nine. But the worst conditions I've had so far this week were the front nine yesterday, misting and into your face and blowing pretty hard.

Q. Have you heard any banter from the fans out here after the Ryder Cup last year?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Not much. Mostly support. We had big crowds the last three days, and anytime you're with Tiger you're going to get the best of the fans out there, and I felt like we had that the last couple days.

Q. Did you have an injury (indiscernible)?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, my back kind of acted up for two, three days there where I just couldn't really play, and so that was right before. Took some rest, doctor's orders, and feeling better. I've been feeling better pretty much every day but limiting how many balls I hit on the range.

Q. It hasn't acted up --

PATRICK CANTLAY: Correct.

Q. Were you already there?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I was not.