THE MODERATOR: Nick, back at Barracuda as defending champion. Defended earlier at AMEX, but I guess but talk about how comforting is it coming in knowing you've had success here last year?
NICK DUNLAP: Yeah, this is awesome. This is a place that I definitely hold close to me. It's a really pretty area. I think Hunter and I both kind of talked about it. It's one of our favorite, if not favorite events from last year.
Really happy to be back. Golf course is awesome. It's a cool Stableford format, something we don't do very often, or if ever. I think this is the only event that we do that. So it's a little bit different. Maybe the strategy is a little bit different throughout the week. So it's a lot of fun.
Q. Coming in last year, you've seen all the courses for the first time. This year, how prepped coming into the week, how much more comforting is it knowing you've seen the places, especially a place like this?
NICK DUNLAP: Yeah, we've actually -- Hunter and I have started to go play somewhere else on Monday and play 18 versus practicing and maybe trying to get in a late nine after the pro-ams on Monday.
It gives me a little bit more comfort knowing I've already seen the golf course, I can have a little bit more fun on Mondays, like I said, to go play somewhere else versus trying to stress about learning the golf course on Monday.
Q. Talked last year a little bit about fishing on the off day. Anything you're doing this week? Fishing back in the rotation?
NICK DUNLAP: Maybe. I don't have my fishing pole with me this week unfortunately. I might end up going and buying one.
Yeah, just this afternoon drive up in the mountains and just see all what Tahoe has to offer.
Q. This was a come-from-behind win last year; Amex was entering the final round with the lead. Do you have a preference between the two? Some players like the chase and some players like to get ahead.
NICK DUNLAP: It's hard to say. I like when I'm in the lead. Whether I'm chasing or leading, all that matters is if you finish the 72nd hole and you're in the lead or not.
Regardless you're going to play your game whether you're leading or trailing. I'm not going to play any different. Hunter and I have a game plan and we're going to stick to it.
Q. With this format, Stableford, obviously aggressiveness, it's risk-reward, does that free you up knowing, all right, I'm going to go for it; if it works out, great?
NICK DUNLAP: Yeah, a little bit. Like I said you also still have to play golf and think through it; not just kind of send it on every hole.
There is definitely a reward if you can give yourself a couple eagle chances throughout the week. I think they did a really good job switching nines. I heard previously that the back was the front and the front was the back.
So I think coming down the stretch you got 15, the par-5 and then 17, the drivable hole. Makes it a little bit more exciting. You can definitely finish extremely strong.
Q. Last season entering this week kind of on the outside of the bubble of Memphis; how is it comforting to know that just one good week can change it all?
NICK DUNLAP: Yeah, I think that's just the PGA TOUR in had general to be honest. I think you're one good week away from it changing your season and maybe the next couple seasons.
But it's very, very, very hard to win out here and it's hard to kind of think that going into the week.
But my game feels a lot better. I'm doing a lot more things correctly, so just give myself as many birdie chances as I can and hopefully make a couple.
Q. You've obviously mentioned about loving mountain golf here. How special are these additional events to have these playing opportunities?
NICK DUNLAP: Oh, they're great. Yeah, it's just one more opportunity to go out and have a great week versus sitting at home and watching the British this week.
I'm going to try it watch that a little bit. Playing on a little different time zone but one more opportunities to go out and have a great week.
Q. With the winner benefit you got an E-Bike. Where does that stand now? Where is the bike?
NICK DUNLAP: I'm actually in South Florida and there is not much I can do with it down there. Hunter lives on a farm so he's enjoying his -- I think he's gone out and said he's driven around and got his mail a couple times.
Yeah, it's being put to use.
Q. Has he sent you any videos riding it?
NICK DUNLAP: He hasn't, but I've gotten some pictures of it. Yeah, it's so great.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports