Q. Two rounds in the books; what did you think, six birdies, five bogeys. Kind of what you expected out there?
BEN JAMES: Yeah, I kind of got some bad breaks out there. Got some lips near bunkers. At the end of the day made a lot of birdies, so that was what my goal was, to make some birdies. Hit my irons good again and putted okay, just tee ball kind of let me down. I thought I played pretty good today. Can't really complain for another under-par round for sure.
Q. Did the thought ever cross your mind about making the cut at some point on the back nine?
BEN JAMES: Yeah, I thought I was going to do it. I played -- after birdieing 1, which was my 10th hole, I was thinking right there I could get another chance, and then after I made back-to-back birdies on 5 and 6, and then had a really horrible break on 7 and made two fine pars coming in, but it's golf. I learned a lot. Played all right. Again, so cool, and just so thankful to have the opportunity to play this event.
Q. Was it everything you thought it was going to be, when you were dreaming of this this weekend?
BEN JAMES: Yeah, for sure, everything and more. It was phenomenal having all the crowds out there supporting me. Really special, and just so blessed to have the opportunity to be here and be playing the game I love.
Q. Is there one or two things that stand out above the rest?
BEN JAMES: I mean, just having everyone here for sure. My club, my family -- my family doesn't come out to too many because they're not really from here. So it's really special having them around and having their support. I mean, it's so cool. The course was in phenomenal shape, and you guys -- we got treated like TOUR players, and it's higher than what my expectations were. It's awesome.
Q. Did you pick anyone's brain, anyone come up to you or seek you out?
BEN JAMES: Yeah, some of the practice rounds, Doug Ghim was very nice, Austin Smotherman and Brandon Hagy. We had a great time out there and they were extremely nice to me and they kind of talked to me and gave me what advice they had, and they really helped me for this event for sure.
Q. How do you take this into the summer and Virginia? How does this experience help you?
BEN JAMES: If I could hit the driver I would be playing phenomenal. That's really it. If I could just figure out the driver and dial that in, I'd be playing really good golf.
Q. What are your plans the next couple weeks?
BEN JAMES: I've got a pretty busy tournament schedule coming up with the whole elite amateur series, so I'll be going to North Carolina, Pinehurst, then I'll be going to Country Club of Denver for the Trans Miss and the Western Am and then maybe the U.S. Am at Ridgewood.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports