Q. Just describe your emotions on the third hole when you holed out for eagle. How much did that kick start your round?
MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, it's obviously a great start to the round. It puts you in great position, 3-under through 3. For me, that's ideally the start you need on a Saturday, isn't it. It just gets you off to a good start.
I think this is a golf course that's shown that there are low scores around here this week, and to do that for myself is a big positive.
Q. How important was that par save on 17, and did you sort of have to hit out sideways basically?
MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, it was just dead there. There was no shot. Yeah, I played away from the flag, gave myself the best chance possible straight over the hill, and managed to take it.
Obviously it's important for the par save for the round, but just for me personally, I hate -- I'd like to have a bogey-free round, so it's always a little bit -- it's extra nice to have that.
Q. Can you describe what was going through your head when you hit a shot like you did on 16 way right, have to move all the gallery around? It seems like a lot to someone who doesn't play with a gallery a lot, but what's a TOUR pro think in that situation?
MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, you just get them to move out of the way. It's like -- I'm used to having people in the way. It's not really a first.
Yeah, it was pretty straightforward. The marshals did a great job and got everyone back and no one stood on my ball, and away I went.
Q. I overheard you talking about your ties to this area. What exactly is that?
MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, I used to come here as a kid on holiday a lot, and we just spent a lot of time here as a family. Come to this tournament as a junior and obviously played this tournament since 2016, so it's one I'm very fond of.
Q. Did you play this golf course when you came here as a kid?
MATT FITZPATRICK: I did, yeah, a long time ago.
Q. What did you think of it then and what do you think of it now?
MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, I loved it. Aside from Augusta it's my favorite golf course. It really is. I love coming here to play it. I've not had the best results around here. I've had a couple good runs and a couple poor ones, but I really enjoy the design, enjoy the test, and I think it's a great golf course.
Q. I saw the lighthouse on your bag. Is it the head cover?
MATT FITZPATRICK: Yes, it is.
Q. Is that new this week or do you always have that?
MATT FITZPATRICK: No, you must be new around here because I've had that probably every year I've played here since 2016. I had it on TOUR my first few years on TOUR every week. So yeah, I do it every year when I come play here.
Q. When you took tennis lessons here, how good was your tennis game?
MATT FITZPATRICK: Not as good as my golf game at the time. Yeah, I enjoyed it. It was good fun here. The coach was good.
Q. Clay court?
MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah. Green shoes, green clothes, everything.
Q. It's the media center now.
MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, they've ruined it.
Q. Not that yesterday was a bad round, but today your best round ever on the PGA TOUR. Did anything change or just rest or --
MATT FITZPATRICK: No, I hit some balls afterwards. I just didn't feel my driving was there yesterday. Never got myself in good position to hit close approach shots, and then did drive it better today, didn't necessarily feel better but I did drive it better.
Q. What's the lighthouse make you think of that you want to have it on your bag as a reminder?
MATT FITZPATRICK: Just this place. Just this place. Obviously that's the logo. It's obviously something that -- a lighthouse cover is different than an animal, so I thought it was different and quite fun.
Q. Do you just have it this week or at all times?
MATT FITZPATRICK: No, just this week.
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