Q. Sam, putter was hot today. A lot good going on on the greens. Overall how would you assess the round?
SAM RYDER: Yeah, I felt like I kind of -- it was definitely the old kind of no-pictures-on-the-scorecard kind of day for me. Wasn't really thinking too much about it. I was just trying to focus on the next shot. I felt like things were right there, so I didn't really lose a lot of confidence, even though I wasn't really hitting it great.
So I kind of just was able to lean on my putter for sure today. You know, I know there's -- that's not really probably sustainable for four days and I would like to kind of play three more good ones, so, yeah, I'll get a good practice this afternoon and try and build on that.
Q. After the regular season, what did the last like month or so look like for you as far as what you did?
SAM RYDER: Yeah, it's been balanced I would say. I've played a lot of golf but I've had a decent bit of social life, seeing some friends, been with family. Was just in Chicago this past weekend for my godson's baptism.
Things like that. Like I was working really hard when I was home and playing a lot golf and practicing and trying to take my days when I got them, but also try and enjoy some of the time that I've had off. I know this next fall stretch will be very busy, a lot of traveling. I am first alternate for Japan, so hopefully see how that goes.
It's going to be a lot of traveling, Cabo and Bermuda and Utah, and so I knew I wasn't going to have that much time. I tried to enjoy my routine and days at home and also have a little bit of life outside of golf.
Q. How do those times where you're away from the golf course and you get some time to yourself, how do they help you when you come back to competing?
SAM RYDER: Yeah, I think people that know me know that I'm not just a golfer. I like to enjoy my life and I enjoy spending those time. Like even Napa, I had a terrible round on Friday and my mom was there and my girlfriend was there and sister was there, so being able to -- sometimes those end up being the best weekends you have, even when you don't play great.
Yeah, I like to try and maintain a balance. I think it keeps me excited. Doesn't feel so much like a job all the time. But, yeah, I mean, trying to find the right balance is really the key for me.
Q. Do you focus on where you are in the FedExCup or do you just try to do out and play good golf the rest of this fall and see where the chips may fall?
SAM RYDER: I think the correct answer is let the chips fall where they may and focus on what you can control. I can't control how people play. Really I just know -- it's really more process-oriented stuff. I'm very aware where I'm at. You know it all year. You get a text every single week that tells you exactly where you are on FedEx. You can't hide from it.
But it doesn't dictate my schedule. Just if I was -- if I was in a better position I would still like to think that I would be working hard on my game and trying to win and check other boxes. Right now I'm trying to play for my status but still trying to play for bigger goals, too.
Q. Do you kind of feel like you're in this position a lot, you're kind of the eternal bubble boy, per se?
SAM RYDER: I have. Last year I finished 125 and there is a lot of good golfers in the world. I've had -- this is my eighth season on TOUR and I've had a lot of good, but I haven't necessarily made that jump. I had one year where I think I was -- couple years where I think he was really safe early on.
But I find myself -- so the positive of that is I'm pretty comfortable with it and I know when my back is against the wall sometimes I can play my best golf and it helps me focus and I try and use that to my advantage.
Q. Along those same lines, when you approach a tournament like this where you probably haven't had a lot of the success in the past at this golf course, it's been challenging, and today you go out and shoot 65, when you come into this tournament and approach it like that, what is the mindset? How do you get ready for that?
SAM RYDER: I think for me, if I really looked at my career, there has been a lot of courses where I've had chances to win but not necessarily played well every year.
So I think it's a lot of times I feel like it's really indicative of my game and where I'm at, and I've always been a little up and down. When I show up here there is no reason I don't feel like I can compete and contend and potentially win if I play well. I don't think there was -- not to get too focused on that and I know I haven't had a ton of success here -- but I feel like it fits my game fine. If I'm playing good golf I can play most places. Some are obviously better than others.
To be honest I've almost won in Vegas; missed the cut. Almost won in Napa and I've missed the cut. There are couple where play more consistently, like TPC Deere Run. Finished I feel like I've been very consistent there and finished second there.
To be honest, I feel like it's really more indicative of where I'm at and my game can stand up to most courses if I'm playing well.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports