Media Center Interviews
April 2, 2022
Third Round Interview with Brandt Snedeker
Q. Anything that jumped out about that round today?
BRANDT SNEDEKER: It was pretty simple out there for me today. I hit it pretty good, drove the ball fantastic and hit a bunch of good iron shots. I'm going to go work on my putting here a little bit, make sure it's ready to go. Missed a few short ones that I don't want to do tomorrow, but all in all I feel really good about where my game is and excited about the challenge tomorrow's going to create.
Q. Was there anything that changed with your play to have a stronger round today than yesterday?
BRANDT SNEDEKER: Yeah, I kind of changed, went to hitting more of a straight to cut shot after my round on Thursday. I've been trying to play a draw for a while and it just hadn't been working. Quit fighting myself so much, play what you're hitting right now. So last couple days I hit it fantastic doing that, so hopefully it hangs in there tomorrow.
Q. You had a pretty strong finish at this event last year as well.
BRANDT SNEDEKER: Um-hmm.
Q. Is there anything that carries over?
BRANDT SNEDEKER: It's a golf course I really like, I don't know why. I've played good here several different times it seems like and I love the challenge it creates. I love the fact it's going to be a tough day no matter how good you're playing. Going to miss some greens out there because the greens are small. Even though they're big greens, they play really small. I've always played really well in the wind it seems like, so it would be really nice to kind of go out there and put a good round together.
Q. It seems like the last few weeks were some difficult results for you. Is there anything that changed coming into this tournament?
BRANDT SNEDEKER: Yeah, just kind of more mentality. I've been working hard at it, probably as hard as I ever have in my career, I just haven't had any success. And the only way you fix that is to go out there and do it, go out there and keep practicing and keep grinding, which I've been doing. And you've got to relish the challenge when you get them, so hopefully this is kind of a turning point for me this year and kind of get back where I belong and where I think I belong. It's up there trying to win golf tournaments.
Q. I believe you're 8 under on the last five holes over the last two days. I mean, a closing stretch, what's lining up for you on that stretch?
BRANDT SNEDEKER: Yeah, it's just -- I play those holes -- they set up really well for me, I've got a good history there it seems like over the last few times I played here. I like the way they set up and I just feel really comfortable on them. And those are all birdie holes. You're going to have to birdie a lot of those holes to go on and win this week. So I was able to kind of take advantage of it yesterday, got hot, and today I hit a bunch of quality shots coming in. Wish I could have made that up on 18, but besides that, I'll be able to pull on that tomorrow coming down the stretch. If I need to make some birdies, I know I can do it, I've done it. So hopefully I won't need to, but if I do, I know it will be there.
Q. I heard you hint to the fact that you're supposed to be a good putter and chipper, but you're hitting the ball really well off the tee this week. Do you feel like there's like opportunity lost there?
BRANDT SNEDEKER: Yeah, for sure. I lost some stuff -- I mean, yesterday, even though I shot 5 under par, I probably should have shot 7, 8 or 9 if I -- I missed a lot of short putts. And today I missed two putts inside five feet. So take those out and all of a sudden it's a different ballgame. But that being said, you can't -- it's golf, you're not going to make everything. Hopefully I can get out there and make the key ones tomorrow and do enough just enough to win.
Q. A lot of young players on the board, a lot of older players on the bothered, too. Just wonder, as you get older, what changes in the way that you go into a final round when you're in the lead from when you were 22 to now?
BRANDT SNEDEKER: Well, hopefully I can pull on a lot of experience. Hopefully I can pull on a lot of calming feelings and knowing that hey, this is going to be a long day, it's not going to be up to this one shot I hit off this first tee. Know that these other guys, no matter how nervous I feel tomorrow, they're going to feel the same way I do. It's no different than any other thing I've ever done. So I'll pull on all those years of experience out here, know that -- get ready to relish the challenge. Tomorrow's not going to be easy, it never is to win a golf tournament, so knowing that going into it hopefully gives me a little leg up and get ready to fight in battle.
Q. Do you still get the good nerves?
BRANDT SNEDEKER: Absolutely. If you don't, I've got to find a different job. I love that nervous feeling on The First Tee. It feels awful for a minute, then you get used to it. Once you get that first ball in the air, it's like okay, time to go, let's get going.
