THE MODERATOR: We have Annika Sorenstam and Jake Owen in with us today. Annika is in fifth currently. She had 20 points today, 37 points total. Jake is in second currently, 41 points, 25 total, his best round here at the American Century Championship.
First question, on the crowds today. You've seen the crowds grow all week. What were the crowds like today? How did they help push you guys along in your round today?
JAKE OWEN: Ladies first.
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: What can I say? The crowds are incredible. I think there's so many people. I mean, they're so enthusiastic. They're very loud. They're very energetic. They're really into it.
Standing there on 17th tee, it's incredible. I've never seen so many boats. I don't know. It's really fun. It gives me energy, makes me want to hit some good shots in front of them, and really appreciate the support from start to finish.
JAKE OWEN: I have to echo that. I was really fortunate about four years ago, my best friend, Mardy, had been lobbying for me to come out here and play. Being a musician, I'm pretty busy during the summertime. That's my busy time.
Being able to be back here now four years in a row, playing obviously with Annika is an absolute pleasure, and Aaron Rodgers today.
But I told my caddie yesterday, I said, "Wait until you see tomorrow." I think it's obviously a testament to what American Century has done here and NBC. It's just such an exciting place to be. No matter if you're on 17, as Annika said, or if you're out on any one of the other fairways, every fairway there's something going on. It's a lot of fun. Makes coming out here that much better.
Q. Going into tomorrow, Annika, talk about your round a little bit today and things that you can be working on tomorrow and looking into for tomorrow.
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I would say today was really a mixed bag. It was funny, I hit some good irons and didn't drive it well. And as you know, golf is very strange. Today I was driving it well but didn't hit my irons well.
I would love for them to kind of connect tomorrow. I really think I need that to really have a chance. I think what saved me today is I had two long putts that went in, which was very rare, but that kept the round going, kept me going, kept me a little bit more positive.
I realize, you can make a bogey, because if you make birdies you really don't lose any ground. Today I made, I believe, four birdies and that's what I need minimum tomorrow. Put a little pressure early on and go from there.
Consistent golf is not going to do it. You need to be aggressive. Tomorrow I have nothing to lose. I'm going to go out there and try and rip it and make some more long putts and then hope for the best.
Q. Jake, your best round here. So looking, five birdies today. Walk us through your round a little bit. And then looking into tomorrow, you two are both going to be chasing a little bit because Taylor is at 43. What's going to be the game plan for tomorrow?
JAKE OWEN: I find that today I played pretty well because I realized I wasn't really chasing anything. I was just trying to keep myself in check.
I think as a junior golfer, one of the reasons I switched to playing music, is because I just wasn't that great at keeping my mind focused for four and a half hours.
Creative people and things tend to be all over the map. If you know me, you know I'm kind of all over the place.
It was awesome today. I just kept telling myself, "Don't swing any harder than you would on the driving range. Enjoy this." Like I said, playing with Annika and Aaron is an absolute treat.
These are the moments you remember. My kids are out there watching me. I had a lot going on in my life over the last year or two. So this is something that I really needed.
Q. Also today you mentioned about the families. Both your families were out there, your kids were out there. Talk about when you're not only playing for your crowds, but you're playing for your kids and the kids are seeing mom and dad play so well here in this atmosphere. What's that like when you're playing with your kids and your family kind of in tow?
JAKE OWEN: I was telling Aaron on the course today, asking him if he's going to have children. I said it's the greatest thing that's ever happened in my life having two daughters. Looking over, no matter if you hit a bad shot or good shot, they're still over there smiling, telling you they love you.
I feel whether I was dead last today or playing the round I played, I get to go back to the room tonight and order some butter noodles and have an awesome time with my two little girls.
I didn't even really sleep well last night because my little girl was leaning on me. I was worried about how that would affect me today. But she was right there, walked all 18 holes, and we had a blast.
Q. Annika, who has more fun out here, you or Will?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: That's a good question. Obviously I live for every shot. But I think he does too. He's one of those kids that will give me feedback, good or bad, which I like. I'm sure I'm going to hear a few things about my swing, things I could have done a little differently: Why did you hit that chip shot? Why did you do that?
But I love that. I'm getting to the point where I know he understands the game and he means well. So I just gotta soak it up and spend some time with him on the range, but it's cool when he has some pointers and I know they are valid. He really knows so much about the game and I don't want to disappoint him.
Just what Jake said, there's something different about just having your family around and friends, and it means a lot, I think, and I think that's what makes this tournament so special. American Century, they come in here, it's a family event, with the dinners, the activities, the bonding.
We sit here and maybe later we'll see each other around the pool or at the lake or at dinner, that's what this week is all about.
Q. Speaking of the evening activities, Jake, you performed in the pro-am party, the food truck party on Tuesday. Was there any teasers to your upcoming album that was performed that night?
JAKE OWEN: There wasn't. My album, it will be out in October. I haven't really played any of those songs yet. But the album title is Dreams to Dream. It was funny today because a lot of people said they got the single to drop, Dreams to Dream. The reason I wrote that song is because I feel like all the things I've accomplished in my life have been great, but as a competitor, you just can't stop dreaming.
It's a dream of mine, just as I've watched my best friend, Mardy, win this thing, it would be a dream to finish tomorrow and knock the last putt in and look over and see my kids and be like -- because it doesn't even feel real. When I walked off today, Aaron said, "What did you shoot?" I said, "I have no idea." I really don't. I know I made some birdies and bogeys. When I added it up, it said 70, dang, my boys back home at the club are going to be proud of me.
Q. That single dropped yesterday, correct?
JAKE OWEN: It did. It dropped yesterday. Thanks for the plug. I appreciate that. Dreams to Dream. Go get it.
Q. Jake, you said this summer is your busy time. Have you had any chance to practice?
JAKE OWEN: I haven't. I played one round of golf. You look at my handicap. Again, I played one round of golf this year. I have been getting up early in the mornings going and chipping and putting, which I think today I chipped the ball really, really well. I kind of was, like, who is this guy?
But it goes to show you, when you work at something, it pays off. Like I said, I've just got a lot within my heart right now to prove, not just to anyone else other than myself. It was just really a special day for me to just kind of stay within what I was doing and just chase it.
Q. What's your plan for tomorrow to not let the pressure get to you?
JAKE OWEN: I'm thinking about that right now as you ask me. I will tell you that really probably just try to do the same thing I did today.
I saw Jack Wagner a minute ago, I told him I want to swing within myself and just hit -- I know that I play well. I know I hit the ball well. I just have to kind of keep swinging easy and wherever it goes, I'll hit it again from there.
Q. Annika, the same kind of question to you. Have you had a chance to practice before this?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I have. I don't have any excuse, by any means. I don't play a lot. But I do practice. We've been traveling a little bit the last month or so, so maybe not as much. But I'm a regular on the range. Not as much, of course, as I used to since I have family and other things to do.
But no, I'm out there five, six times a week just hitting an hour or so, putting, chipping. It's just not really coming out, everything -- I've been working on a few things.
I said in a press conference earlier this week, I got some tips from Will and I'm trying to implement them. I feel like I'm doing just kind of halfway. I guess I get some crazy bad shots.
When I do connect, when I feel like I'm doing the right thing, I know I'm on the right track. I think you would think that somebody who has been in the game for so long, why are you still working on stuff? It never ends. It's always something.
I'm trying to get my hands in front. It feels really awkward, but I know it's right. The answer is yes, I'm practicing. I'm trying. I haven't given up. I know it's a treat to be here.
I always feel honored to be invited here. I know the chances of winning here are, they're getting fewer and fewer. I want to do the best I can tomorrow and we'll see what happens.
Q. I know you have ties to Tahoe. Do you still have your house here?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yes, on North Shore.
Q. You still find some time to come up here?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: We spend the summer here and a few weeks in the winter. Beautiful place.
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