Q. So Mardy, you played great today. How was it out there?
MARDY FISH: Much different than yesterday. Conditions were similar, but I just -- I hadn't played the course but one day on Wednesday to play the pro-am, so it was kind of is difficult way to see the course and stuff.
But yesterday was brutal. I haven't shot in the 80s in a long time, but that was a good awakening to see a lot of the course and everything as well.
So today was much better. Today was much straighter. Made a few putts and then leaked a little bit of oil at the end coming in with three bogeys, and made a long par putt just to save par.
So could have been even worse, so happy with 2-under.
Q. How much tougher is this golf course from last year's?
MARDY FISH: Quite a few shots, yeah. Tranquilo is fun to play. There are a few more birdie opportunities probably. But today played -- you know, there was no wind really and the conditions were pretty perfect.
The golf course is in perfect shape, so not many excuses out there.
Q. So as the defending champion, do you have any certain expectations for this weekend?
MARDY FISH: I mean, I want to win. I don't expect to win, but I want to win. I won this tournament three times and love playing -- I grew up in Florida so I love playing Florida golf.
I'm hoping that wind will pick up a little bit and make things a little bit more difficult in terms of the conditions, which will make the scores rise a little bit for us Amateurs.
But that would be fun to see how that plays out, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Q. What do you learn from playing alongside the LPGA professionals?
MARDY FISH: A ton. Yeah, I'm constantly sort of watching what they do and watching how they play and how they go about each hole. Celine today, second time playing with her, and she didn't miss one -- I don't think she's missed a fairway since I've played with her two full rounds.
Just incredible. They're so good and it's fun to kind of hack it around next to them.
Q. It was rare territory for you yesterday to be struggling out there. How was it just trying to hold it together?
MARDY FISH: It was hard, yeah. It was tough. I mean, I was, I don't know, maybe 4- 5-over after the front nine. Yeah, I mean, I shot 81, so 9-over par is not what I'm used to.
But it happens. That's golf. I talked with a couple buddies that play out on tour last night just to kind of say like, you know, talking about the greens and just a couple -- buddy of mine who used to live here in Lake Nona.
So asking them as many questions as I could to kind of change my narrative a little bit on how I'm playing and everything. Today certainly helped, so should be a fun weekend.
Q. Last year I think you said you came in and hadn't played a lot coming in. Have you played a little more this year?
MARDY FISH: I just don't play that much golf. I don't have time. I work. I got like a real job that's fun for me. I have two young kids as well. Golf takes a long time to play.
I enjoy playing with buddies and friends, but I don't get out as much as I would like to or maybe should with these tournaments coming up.
But I try and kind of play myself into it like throughout the week, and certainly today was that case.
Q. What do you do as a real job?
MARDY FISH: I work in tech, finance with a buddy of mine, and we have a blast doing it. Something certainly new for me, but it's been super fun since I retired.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports