Q. Bogey-free 7-under. How would you assess your round today?
MACKENZIE HUGHES: Yeah, it was quite good. I felt like when I was in a little bit of trouble I got myself out of it and was able to make a few nice up and downs.
And then, yeah, my good shots were great and I hit a few nice shots on the par-5s, which made for a few easy birdies.
Yeah, overall, pretty happy with it. You know, couple shots I want to have back, but for the most part, really happy with the start.
Q. Coming straight from Presidents Cup in Canada, what's the transition exhaustion like switching gears?
MACKENZIE HUGHES: I think I had the formula figured out pretty good. Monday was basically sober up; Tuesday recovery and rest, travel here; Wednesday was just a light day with the pro-am and a bit if practice.
Felt like Wednesday evening I had caught my breath and was really to come out here today. Obviously it's a big high to come off from last week, but my job is still here and I was ready to go.
Q. What was kind of the importance of keeping this on your schedule as a past champion? Special place here.
MACKENZIE HUGHES: Yeah, I just love coming here. I love the golf course. People are great. So it was an event that I had on the calendar for a long time. When the Presidents Cup was thrown in there to put it in question, but I knew I wasn't going to play for the next month after this one, so I was like, well, I've been playing; I'm competitively tested I guess.
So I thought, well, while I'm still warm, come here, get a start under my belt, and then take a bit of a break.
I'm not sure when I'll play next, but I knew in the next call it five weeks I wasn't going to play. This was one I wanted to come to. Obviously as a past champion love coming here.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports