CHUBB CLASSIC PRESENTED BY SERVPRO

February 16, 2025

Justin Leonard

Tiburón Golf Club

TV

Q. Oh, boy, I can spend an hour with you right now, Justin. Congratulations. First win on this Tour. You won on every single level: juniors, amateurs, college, Open Championship, PLAYERS. What does this mean on this Tour?

JUSTIN LEONARD: It's been a long time since I've won, and I tell myself all the time that I have won. But, you know, it's easy to kind of forget a little bit, and say, well, you know, is it going to be?

I just put a lot of work in, you know, starting -- I mean, last year was so bad it was good. It was good for me. Made some changes with my golf swing and I've got a great situation with Randy Smith and Mike Thomas, and you know, it's just so fun finally be here because I always felt like I would be.

But it's nice to finally get it done.

Q. I know you dedicated yourself physically and mentally to getting back into this. Any time on the back side did you think about past experiences, draw on anything to try to close this out?

JUSTIN LEONARD: I just kept telling myself that I was still in it, and, you know, I felt like my best golf was ahead of me. I played okay the first, you know, ten holes; 11, the end of it was good, but it just wasn't my best golf.

I kept telling myself to just own the last six holes or the last seven holes. Once I got a little bit of momentum I felt like I could ride it. I hadn't had much going on all day.

You know, but, yeah, I mean, past experience, sure. Closing out rounds. I mean, I didn't think about anything in particular today, but just knowing I've been there. Even though it might have been 10, 20, 30 years ago, I've been able to do it before.

Q. Always key moments in the week and in the round. Obviously the 11th hole that, par putt, how big was that putt?

JUSTIN LEONARD: Cookie, you don't see me fist pump very often.

Q. Right.

JUSTIN LEONARD: I hit a terrible tee shot there yesterday and got really lucky and made a birdie.

Today I thought I was in the fairway honestly. You know, I saw it bounce left, and then to pitch out and have a good little chippy 9-iron in there and then to bury that putt, I was like, okay, I am fully in this.

I felt like after bogeying 10, if I make bogey there, it would be a tough sled coming in. That was a momentum booster, definitely the little putt and 9 -- iron to save the week.

Q. Congratulations on the first PGA TOUR Champions win. You can see the dedication, you can see the emotion in you. Congratulations.

JUSTIN LEONARD: Thanks, Cookie.