THE 152ND OPEN

July 20, 2024

Calum Scott

Mixed Zone

Q. 1-under, you'd take that, wouldn't you not?

CALUM SCOTT: Yes. Overall, I feel pretty -- more okay than I had yesterday. I think shooting 1-under in those conditions, it's pretty good. I feel like I left a lot out there in regards to putting and holing a few putts going in, but I just hit some really good approaches and pars out there.

My back nine are definitely okay, so I can't fault myself too much. But 1-under, very happy.

Q. (Indiscernible). Do you feel that?

CALUM SCOTT: Yeah, making the cut was almost like lifted off my shoulders. It was just one goal, first job out of the way kind of thing. Saturday to Sunday, I can enjoy myself and sort of do my thing. If that's good enough to win the Silver Medal or get up that leaderboard, then I'm happy.

Q. When we spoke to you yesterday, would it be right to say you were a wee bit, a little bit emotional yesterday, or was that just the TV distracting you? It just looked liked you were kind of, oof, the enormity of something like this?

CALUM SCOTT: Yeah, definitely. It definitely sunk in yesterday when I got the cheers on 18 and walking up to the interview, it was a really cool moment for me. It's one of those memories I'll have forever.

This is what these kinds of tournaments do. They create memories forever. I'm absolutely buzzing to make the cut in my first major in Scotland, The Open Championship, couldn't be happier, yeah.

Q. That's a memory you'll keep forever from Friday. You can battle again tomorrow.

CALUM SCOTT: Exactly. That's what's great about these events, there's so many opportunities to do something cool, and I think, you know, there's chances to make a run and finish high up that leaderboard or win the Silver Medal or hole out a shot, make a hole-in-one or do something cool.

Q. Look at Justin Rose.

CALUM SCOTT: Exactly. He came through final qualifying and did all that stuff, and obviously he won the Silver Medal, and he's doing amazing stuff.

Exactly. It's the start of something that could be very good, and I'm excited for what the future holds.

Q. It looks like you're going to take a two or three-shot buffer into the final round in terms of the Silver Medal. How do you approach that mentally?

CALUM SCOTT: It's a little difficult with the leaderboard because obviously it's the leaders you can see, so us amateurs won't be up there. In regards to that, I won't be checking the leaderboard. I assume I'll find out when I get in.

Yeah, I think just play my own game. If that's good enough, that's good enough. I think, if I shoot under par, I should be all right.

Q. Seeing those conditions, what's a good score?

CALUM SCOTT: I think anything around even to obviously there's a few really good scores. I think you can get that going on the front nine, create some momentum. Anything from 1-over to sort of 5-under is a really good score, I think.

Q. Is that a good thing that you won't be able to see the leaderboard?

CALUM SCOTT: It's important not to try to focus on the results and more on just your shot, and sort of just being in the present, I think, is really key because, when you start thinking about how many holes you've got left and how many shots you should have, it can definitely play with you, and then all of a sudden you feel like you're grinding and trying to stay ahead.

If you just play your game and focus on one shot, that definitely helps ease anything that might come your way pressure-wise.

Q. This can really test your game. Is there a common shot you've had this week where you've sort of thought, well, I've got the game?

CALUM SCOTT: There's been a few drives I've hit, and I've been very happy with, specifically --

Q. (No microphone)?

CALUM SCOTT: Both. Specifically 16 yesterday. I flew it. I think I had 160 flag. In a moment, it was a big drive for me because I was 5-over, on the cut line.

Yeah, I've hit some iron shots here and there and holed some really good putts and sort of under pressure as well coming down the stretch. That stuff, I can take with me and that kind of confidence going forward.

With regards to score, I don't think I'm doing too bad either keeping up with them. That's what golf is, just try to shoot your score. It doesn't matter what it looks like.

Q. Jacob is just behind you. A little bit of revenge from the Amateur Championship?

CALUM SCOTT: Yeah, that would be nice. Obviously he's going to know where I am sitting and stuff. I'm sure he'll come out guns blazing.

It will be what it will be, but I think I'd love to take that Silver Medal home.

Q. Is the week living up to what you imagined?

CALUM SCOTT: Absolutely. I didn't really know what to expect until I got here. Obviously my locker is right next to Adam Scott, Scottie Scheffler, all the big names, surnames that start with an S.

First I was like I don't know if I should be here. I just kind of settled in on Monday, and I was like let's get this star-struckness out of the way and just focus on my game. I came here for a job, and that was to play as good as I can and see where that puts me.

Q. Being a home championship on the weekend, when you walk in between holes, are there any familiar faces you spotted?

CALUM SCOTT: Yeah, absolutely. There are a lot of guys that are here that I've not seen for ages and I've seen them, and they're all from either Nairn, or I've met them through golf playing tournaments or just friends and family.

It's been unbelievable, the support I've had over the last few days, and I'm excited for tomorrow.

Q. All these people back in Nairn in the club watching?

CALUM SCOTT: Yes.

Q. They're all very proud of you. Have you heard from any of them?

CALUM SCOTT: Yeah, absolutely. I've had tonnes of messages over the last few days, people messaging me saying sorry I can't come and stuff like that. I'm like don't worry about it. You can watch it on TV maybe, maybe a few shots. They've been so supportive, Nairn Golf Club. They've been unbelievable for me.

Q. You going to get back there any time soon?

CALUM SCOTT: Yeah, I'm hoping kind of straight after this I'll head up the road and take some time off and hang out at the golf club.

Q. Wouldn't it be nice to bring that Silver Medal to the club?

CALUM SCOTT: That's right. Add it to the collection.