Q. A 65, we haven't seen anything better out here today. Sum up that round, and of course the shot into 18, please.
EWEN FERGUSON: I think I played well. I just stuck to my game plan. Saying that to Nick there, I didn't try and overpower the course like I had tried to last year. It's just not my game. I hit 7-wood on some of the shorter holes that are tight and gave myself chances.
Last year I felt like I tried to almost drive it on the greens, I don't hit it as far as someone like Rory and I had an awkward 30-yarder from the heavy rough but this time had a good strategy and felt good support out there so far. Yeah, 65 sounds nice.
Q. A few players have taken advantage of the backboard. Was that your intention today?
EWEN FERGUSON: Honestly 7-wood and 3-wood and into the wind, getting a bit colder as the day was getting a bit late. I thought, you know, what I'm just going to go to the back and even if I have to go in the drop zone, I'm just going to splash it out. If I had a 15-footer on the last, I would have been fine with that. Still would have made that for a good day, but a wee bit of luck goes a long way.
Q. How happy are you with the front nine, 3-under through nine except the chip-in on 8. It's tough scoring on the front nine today.
EWEN FERGUSON: The front nine is so tough and I was actually really nervous starting the day. 5-under yesterday, but 1, 2, 3 holes, some of the holes are so difficult. So I was really nervous at the start to try to get off to a good start. A golfer's mind can get away from you sometimes and all of the sudden feels like a different game. So when I got off to a good start, birdieing the first, I felt calmer calm after that.
Q. Going into the weekend, put yourself in an ideal spot and a place that you're very comfortable at.
EWEN FERGUSON: Yeah, 36 holes played, leading so far is great. It's nice to be doing well, and as big as this is, some of the players that are playing, it's really, really cool, and I'm proud of myself.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports