ASCENSION CHARITY CLASSIC

September 6, 2024

Tim O'Neal

Norwood Hills Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Tim, great round today. You started off great last year as well. This has been your best finish on Tour. Familiarity with this course. Just overall just thoughts about your round today.

TIM O'NEAL: Yeah, got off to a really good start today. Kept it going. You know, played really well. Didn't finish the way that I would've liked, but Ascension extended an exemption to me before I had status out here and I have always liked this golf course and I play well.

I'm looking forward to playing well the rest of the week.

Q. Talk to me about what happened on 13.

TIM O'NEAL: 13, oh, flier lie. We had wind in our face, and I don't know. I hit it 30 yards over the green. It was just -- hit it right where I wanted to and it never touched anything.

So wasn't the best swing. Just was a jumper lie. Those things happen sometimes out of the rough here.

Q. You've been working on your game, perfecting your craft out here. Does this give you the confidence you need heading into the weekend just one shot back, being able to put yourself in contention?

TIM O'NEAL: Yeah, you know, a little bit of a struggle this year. Just being able to put myself in contention, the more times I feel like I can get myself there, I have a good chance of break you through.

I have to keep having rounds like that that I had today.

Q. When you get off to a start like that, any memories from last year creep in?

TIM O'NEAL: I played well. Absolutely. Like I said, I've always enjoyed playing this golf course. A lot of the holes fit my eye. The greens are pure. You know, zoysia fairways the ball sits up so definitely a course you can score on.

So if you're hitting a lot of greens you can definitely make some putts and have some low scores.

Q. What does this remind you of? Something at home or...

TIM O'NEAL: No, not really. We have mostly bermuda greens at home. Just like I said, the course just fits my eye. A lot of the holes. And if you can drive it well here and put yourself in position you can have a lot of chances for birdie.

Q. Is there anything in particular you tell yourself when you're out there, whether it's patience, one at a time, anything just mentally to keep yourself focused?

TIM O'NEAL: Oh, yeah, the old cliche, one shot at a time. I struggle a little bit with that, too, getting ahead of myself.

For me, I just have to, like you said, just one shot at a time and try to give myself as many birdie looks as possible. If I can do that, I'll be happy wherever I finish.