SANDERSON FARMS CHAMPIONSHIP

October 4, 2024

Keith Mitchell

Country Club of Jackson

Quick Quotes

Q. 8-under 64. What was clicking?

KEITH MITCHELL: The putter. Made a lot of putts today. You know, my caddie, Brad, known me forever, gave me a little pep talk I think it was Wednesday afternoon about the putter, and it worked. He knows me too well; it showed.

His expertise are equally as much as being my friend and knowing who I am as well as a caddie.

Q. What were there, like mechanical changes or just...

KEITH MITCHELL: We kind of talked back about some times I putted well and when I putted poorly and tried to break down what happened when I putted well and try to repeat that out here.

It's tough, because you miss a putt and want to try to fix it. You just got stick with what works.

Q. First time making it to the weekend here. What are you looking to do starting tomorrow?

KEITH MITCHELL: I'm very excited for my first tee time on Saturday here in Jackson, Mississippi. I've always loved this tournament. Love this golf course. Steve Jensen, probably one of the best tournament directors we have out here. He's amazing, and excited that we have another we're with Sanderson next year.

I'm just first of all pleased to make the weekend. However there is a bunch of guys really packed at the top, and so it's going to take a really low number tomorrow to separate yourself.

Q. Kind of motivating to see yesterday David Skinns had a 60, it's out there?

KEITH MITCHELL: Motivating is -- might not be the right word. It's a little intimidating, because knowing all these guys that are so good that are right at the top of the leaderboard, any of them could throw out that number, which means if you don't, you're going to fall behind?

You know it's out there. You got to be confident and try to go as low as you can. It's going to be a battle toward the end. I think there are too many guys at the top to separate yourself come Sunday.

Q. Close on the number; playing opportunities here in the fall. I know you love playing in Pebble. What's the motivation there for playing your way in these Signature Events for 2025?

KEITH MITCHELL: F all the Signature Events, those are probably my favorite recollect Riviera and Pebble Beach. Being able to tee it up at Pebble, played it every year. Been a fun tournament. I really want to be back there.

Same with Riv. I played NCAAs at Riviera, gosh, I think that was 2012 maybe. That was my first really good event a as college player.

Both of them have a special place in my heart.

Q. Still on that point, where do you asa professional draw a line mentally between using your headspace to win this golf tournament and also thinking about the Signature Events and playing your way into more solid footing those?

KEITH MITCHELL: I think for me, playing to play my best and trying to win the golf tournament; the rest will take care of itself. It's very cliche, but unfortunately it's the truth.

If I can do what I do well and continue to do it well, the rest will take care of itself. Unfortunately finding out what you do well sometimes is hard, and then repeating what you do is hard.

So it's easier said than done, but made some progress the last two days and hopefully I can keep it going.

Q. Last time anyone here will mention that this is your first cut made here at Sanderson Farms. What kind of allowed you to finally get over the hump here, do you think? Just feeling different on the course this year?

KEITH MITCHELL: You know, I've changed a lot of my practice this year. My strokes gained approach throughout my career has been very below average and I've made a bunch of excuses for why that was until this year.

Been working really hard on my practice, practice routines, hitting my numbers, and quit worrying about my golf swing as much. Thankful that I have a great swing teacher that I don't have to see that often because he made my swing like it is.

So I've focused on hitting my numbers, hitting shots. That changed everything for me in my approach game. Then I made some putts. Putting is that simple. I made some putts today; hopefully I can make them this weekend.

But the rest of the game took a lot of hard work this year to get my wedge game and iron play to the level it needed to be. In the past it's been my driver and nothing else.

Q. Playing well means later tee time. Won't be able to catch all the Georgia-Auburn game. With there be in-course, on-course updates, or we will have to find out after your round?

KEITH MITCHELL: My luck watching Georgia this year has been very -- when I've watched the game we have done poorly. I watched the first quarter and a half against Alabama. Didn't watch it until the fourth quarter, like three minutes left, and then we lost again.

I think this is the best for the Dawgs that I will be on the golf course, and fingers crossed that my watching the TV curse is overcome because I'm going to be out there trying to make birdies and they're going to be out there trying to score some touchdowns.

Q. You're welcome, Kirby Smart.