Media Center Interviews
April 6, 2024
Third Round Interview with Denny McCarthy
Q. Denny, 5-under 67 for you today. What went well for you today?
DENNY McCARTHY: A little bit of everything. Challenging golf course again today. Wind was blowing out of the same direction as yesterday, which helped because it was kind of a nasty beast yesterday afternoon and it was maybe just a little bit calmer version of that today, but still a very hard golf course. Yeah, I'm just proud of how I kind of fought my way around again and managed my game.
Q. As you said, the winds from yesterday to today are blowing in the same direction. Has that had any impact on how you played the course at all today?
DENNY McCARTHY: It just kind of gave me some confidence today just knowing it was almost the exact same wind, so just knowing what I've clubs I was going to have into the greens and what kind of tee shot -- what winds I would be facing off the tees. Yeah, it was comforting knowing that it was not the exact same shots, but very similar shots to yesterday.
Q. And now you have three rounds under your belt and you're staying in the fight. Is there anything that you want to adjust, any tweaks you want to make?
DENNY McCARTHY: I like how I've been -- everything I've been doing really. Maybe drive it just a touch better. I've kind of missed a few of the opportunities downwind, haven't quite taken advantage of some of the downwind holes, but all in all I controlled my ball really well, the flight into the wind and downwind. Yeah, I'm pretty pleased. Akshay's playing great, so I'm going to have to go out and play another great round tomorrow.
Q. Knowing how close you are to the leader, does that put any more pressure on you for tomorrow?
DENNY McCARTHY: No, there's no pressure. He's playing really good golf. I know I'm going to have to go out and play another solid round of golf. No pressure. I'm looking forward to the challenge tomorrow. I'm going to go out and try to play some free golf.
Q. The energy just seems like it's been amazing from the crowd. Does that make it kind of easier for you as a golfer knowing everyone's kind of behind you?
DENNY McCARTHY: Yeah, it was fun today, I was playing with Rory and Tommy Fleetwood, obviously both of them are crowd favorites. I was getting a little support, too, but the energy was high in our group. I like that kind of atmosphere. Hopefully it's like that again tomorrow and I look forward to it.
Q. Congratulations on another solid round of golf, six birdies, a bogey on the card. You looked really comfortable out there. Is that how it felt for you?
DENNY McCARTHY: Maybe not quite as comfortable. It's a tough golf course with trouble lurking almost on every shot. I feel like I've got really good control of my ball right now, I'm thinking really well, I'm seeing the pictures well. I'm just committing to shots and hitting them and not really caring too much where they end up. It's been a really nice way to play golf the last two days. If I do that again tomorrow, I'll be proud of myself if I can just continue to do that really.
Q. As far as putting goes, you always look comfortable when you're rolling the rock, but you seem to have a really good feel for these greens.
DENNY McCARTHY: Yeah, they were -- I think maybe a little early on maybe they felt a little bit slower today, there was a little bit more moisture in them, but it was nice to see Rory and Tommy maybe hit a few putts before me to get a gauge of that. I had some nice ones roll in. I had some other good opportunities I didn't really quite take advantage of today, but all in all I played a solid round of golf.
Q. Let's talk about Sunday. You'll be in the final group. Akshay's playing really good golf so you'll know what he's doing as you play this round. What's the strategy, because there are some really tough holes on this golf course where par is good?
DENNY McCARTHY: Yeah, I haven't exactly looked at the wind forecast yet, but I think just continue to do what I've been doing. I've kind of picked my spots to be conservative and picked my spots to be aggressive. Just I have a pretty good understanding of how to play this place and just continuing to do that tomorrow and getting in a good head space is going to be key for me.
