THE MODERATOR: Last man in the field. Walk me through the past a little over a week. What a whirlwind it's been to get here.
BEN KOHLES: Yeah, I mean, it's been great. Been a whirlwind for sure. Yeah, I mean, just took Tuesday off and flew up here.
Yeah, obviously the win last week was awesome and then quick turnaround getting to the Open and doing that whole marathon was a lot, but proud of myself for hanging in there and staying focused, because it was easy to, you know, that long day, especially after the day before.
Yeah, I just hung in there. Playing great. So it's obviously not too far from next week up here, so I thought I would have a pretty good chance to get in on Monday or Tuesday. No one really withdrew.
Obviously getting in, you know, pretty late last hour or so with tee times to go. I was just proud of myself today for just staying in it, staying focused.
My caddie did an awesome job, Joel, just reminding me of that. Yeah, just keep doing what I'm doing. Solid start.
THE MODERATOR: What's it like when you were going to bed last night when you are a little bit further down on the alternate list to even this morning to warming up to right before getting the notification you're in?
BEN KOHLES: Yeah, for me it was win-win. If I didn't get in, I was going to fly home and see my family for a couple of days and then go back up. If I did get in, great. I mean, playing good, so why not keep it going?
Yeah, I was super calm. Didn't really care either way. Of course, I wanted to play, but like, I was just going to see what happens and whatever happens, happens.
Yeah, I mean, fortunate enough to play and play pretty well.
THE MODERATOR: Like you've been saying, it's been a whirlwind. How do you keep the emotions high from wanting to getting into the U.S. Open to resetting to back to round one?
BEN KOHLES: No, I think with all the craziness, I don't know, I haven't really had much time to really celebrate. I mean, you know, it's like just kind of just get back in the lock-in mode and go playing some more golf.
Yeah, I'm just, like I said, going to keep doing what I'm doing. Obviously being in the position I'm in with status on kind of both tours and have kind of played back and forth, I probably am playing a little more than I would have in years past in terms of kind of playing both. You just keep playing.
Like I said, my game has just been in such a good spot. My body is healthy, and I feel like I can keep going.
THE MODERATOR: What emotions have been coming up most frequently between all this?
BEN KOHLES: I mean, I just feel relaxed and free. I mean, obviously getting a win is a little weight off your shoulders. Obviously set me up for the rest of the year out on Korn Ferry.
Yeah, I mean, I haven't done a whole lot out here. I just feel like getting in was all a bonus, and it's all gravy from here.
I'm just kind of taking this week like a free-wheel and getting kind of getting prepped for next week a little bit and just going to play golf, take it easy, and not do a whole lot else. Yeah, see what happens.
THE MODERATOR: What would you have said if you had known right after that win that then Monday you were going to get into the U.S. Open to even teeing it up now this week?
BEN KOHLES: Yeah, I don't know. Like I said, I didn't have much time to think about it. You know, I feel like I was just so in the mindset of I'm playing great and just telling myself, like, I'm going to do it, and I'm going to get in. The mind is such a powerful thing.
I just felt like I had the good vibes the whole time. Only got four hours of sleep, but felt like I was running on pure adrenaline and maybe was feeling a little tired that last nine, but just stayed locked in and got it done.
THE MODERATOR: What are you seeing from TPC Toronto? Didn't really get a lot of practice rounds in, but with the round in, what you are you going to take into tomorrow's round?
BEN KOHLES: Yeah, I didn't play any holes this week. Played last year, so played the course before.
Yeah, it's similar to last year. I mean, the fairways are very generous and pretty wide. They're running a little bit, but greens -- you know, it's funny, coming from Korn Ferry, it's usually the opposite going from soft to firm, but I'm go from super firm to these are very soft from what I've just played the last U.S. Open qualifier and last week, BMW.
I feel like I can be that much more aggressive, even though the course is playing a little longer. Yeah, I mean, it feels like the greens are a lot bigger because I can kind of fly it and not have to have huge bounces and where it's going to go.
Yeah, just sticking to my game plan and playing golf.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports