Q. Scoring +14 on the day; what did you like about your opening round?
NICK WATNEY: I liked around the greens and on the green. Last week I actually hit the ball pretty good and just couldn't make anything out there. Today had a bit of an attitude change and made a few putts.
That was just very nice.
Q. Anything specifically you're changing with your putter or strictly just attitude?
NICK WATNEY: Yeah, mostly just attitude. And, I mean, it's a weird game how my practice stayed the same, grip stayed the same, same putter, all the things, but just a little better attitude and they were finding the hole.
Q. What do you do or say to make that change attitude-wise?
NICK WATNEY: You know, just kind of I think I had gotten really, really mechanical, kind of forgot what the point of it was. The point is not to make a great stroke. The point is to try to hole it, try to make the putt. As simple as that sounds and maybe as weird as that sounds, I think my focus was more on the mechanics of it instead of the actual point of putting a ball on a green.
So took it a little easier on myself and my caddie had some great reads, and, yeah, made a few.
Q. When you're not focusing on mechanics and putts are rolling in, is it more fun?
NICK WATNEY: Absolutely. Absolutely.
Q. And Monday you got into the field, so what was the travel situation like getting out here?
NICK WATNEY: Actually my family was already here. We had planned on coming here. I'm from about two hours' drive, so I have a lot of family around. If I didn't get in the field it was just going to be a vacation.
Luckily it worked out, and I'm excited to be playing.
Q. How many family and friends following this week?
NICK WATNEY: I think they're kind of shuffling in and out. Today was, I don't know exactly, ten or twelve. Then some may leave and others may join. Hopefully give them something to watch.
Q. You're a veteran to this tournament with this format.
NICK WATNEY: Uh-huh.
Q. What does it bring, allow you to be more aggressive, play carefree?
NICK WATNEY: Absolutely. I hit it left on No. 7 today and I was kind of just like, I just have to do anything I can to make a bogey here because just the three -- the -3s are killers. Obviously birdies help all the time, but this week especially counting double a bogey.
So, yeah, it's definitely a golf course to be aggressive on, and that will be the focus tomorrow.
Q. Any fun activities with the family yet? Down to the lake or anything?
NICK WATNEY: We went to Donner Lake yesterday with some friends, and, yeah, it was great. Kids were playing and it's -- I love this area, so definitely relaxing place to be.
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