Q. Sam, 2-under par in your title defense getting started. Talk a little bit about your round.
SAM BURNS: Just couldn't really get much going out there. Golf course was playing pretty difficult, but overall not a bad round.
Q. Coming off of last week, obviously, a very busy week. You played all five matches. You mentioned you couldn't get anything going. Was there any sort of fatigue today, or was it just not being able to get in a rhythm?
SAM BURNS: With the wind, had a ton of holes that were crosswind and just didn't really get a lot of quality looks. When I did, just didn't seem to quite make them.
But, overall I feel like I played pretty well and get out there and go after it tomorrow.
Q. Obviously, still in a good position with three days left, but what did you learn about yourself and your game last week that you can possibly carry over to when you are just playing for yourself?
SAM BURNS: I think regardless of the format or the stage of the golf tournament, pretty much just it comes down to hitting the correct shots and executing. I feel like I was able to do that pretty well. Just tried to focus on each shot as its own and just try to execute.
Q. What's it like coming back to a place when you are the defending champion close to home? What's it like having that kind of feel?
SAM BURNS: Yeah, it's awesome. I love coming back here every year. It's a tournament that I look forward to. Fortunately, this year I get to defend.
Yeah, I love the golf course. I love all the people here. The fans are great. It's really close to home, which is also a bonus.
Q. Obviously, this is a near and dear tournament to you because of last year. Would you have played this week if it wasn't here? In other words, would you have played somewhere else this week, or did you come here just because the tournament means that much to you?
SAM BURNS: Yeah, this tournament means a lot to me, like you said. It's close to home, and I enjoy coming back here. I look forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces this week.
I've gotten to know a lot of the Sanderson Farms family really well, and it's been great coming back here. I'm excited for the next few days.
Q. Can you believe how much has happened since you were here last year?
SAM BURNS: It's hard to believe it's been a year. It goes by fast. Just excited to be back and looking forward to the weekend.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports