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Q. Chris DiMarco with us now at the 84th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. Nice 65 for you today. What did you do well out there?
CHRIS DiMARCO: You know, it was funny. My wife is caddieing for me and we were driving in the cart and I just said, it's pretty hard not to shoot a good score when you hit every shot where you're looking.
I hit the ball really good today. Putted really good. For some reason I really like this golf course. Just fits my eye well. Played good here a couple years ago.
You know, it's just -- I like when you're hitting into sections on greens. I feel like that brings out my iron play. Not necessarily having to hit -- you can use slopes to get close to the pins. You know, it's just a good fit.
Q. What have you been waiting to see in your game to unlock scores like this?
CHRIS DiMARCO: You know, obviously when you're comfortable putting I think that's a big thing for me. When I'm not worried about knocking it three feet by and making one coming back. Putted really well today. Putted good yesterday.
Got a lot of the confidence. Good play breeds confidence, and I haven't had -- I've had a lot of so-so finishes this year. This tour, three shots in three days makes a big difference. I've had a lot of low 30s, high 20s finishes, and three shots better you're finishing 12th to 15th.
Hopefully I can keep it going on the weekend. The greens are at great speed. The course is playing fantastic. I like the fact that it's playing firm. A couple years ago it played softer.
I'm not necessarily the longest guy but my ball does roll out, so if I can get some roll I'm out there hitting -- I mean, No. 14 today for instance I hit 128 yards. I remember hitting 3-iron in there two years ago.
So I'm driving it straight. Hitting it in the fairway. Like I said, I'm hitting it where I'm looking. I've got a nice little cutty holed shot I've been hit ting that really feels comfortable. Whenever I have a shot back right or against the wind I can just hold that shot up there and it's going right at it.
It's a good feeling.
I watched those guys last week. Seems like every one of those guys hit a cut to those back pins. I'm like, know, I have that shot in there. I practiced it this week and it's been going pretty good.
Q. You like coming back here to play considering the history you have in Benton Harbor?
CHRIS DiMARCO: I just met the lady who I stayed with 36 years ago.
Q. Who was that again?
CHRIS DiMARCO: I forget. It was 36 years ago. I can't remember what I had for dinner last night let alone that.
You know what, I do have fond memories. I tried to qualify for the U.S. Open on Monday over there. Shot an even par round. Got second alternate, so probably not going to get in.
Course didn't really change much. Still a really good golf course. Tight. Not necessarily the shortest golf course. Got some length to it. Yeah, it was fun. It's fun being up here for sure. Obviously a lot of great memories in 1988 or '89. I forget whatever year it was. Long time ago.
Q. What's it mean knowing you won't be coming back here for this event after this year?
CHRIS DiMARCO: You know, anywhere the PGA of America runs a tournament it's going to be a good tournament. I've always said they do a fantastic job running it. They're not worried about par. They are worried about having a fair golf course and a fair tournament. They've always been that way.
I'm sure where every we go it's going to be a great venue and a great run tournament, which it always is.
Q. Any difference in your approach mentally from yesterday to today?
CHRIS DiMARCO: No. I played good yesterday. I lipped out on 18 -- or No. 9, my last hole to shoot 67. I just kept it going. Rolled it over to today and got off to a really good start.
Birdied the first hole and birdied the third hole, so I was getting rolling. Made one bad bogey on 4; tough pin. And then played really solid all the way in.
Q. Just going to ask how did you make the eagle, 10?
CHRIS DiMARCO: So, again, 10, the wind was off the right so hit a good drive up there. I was just trying to chip cut a 3-wood and just pulled it in the left bunker and made a bunker shot. It was a pretty easy bunker shot really. Had an upslope and everything slopes right to the hole, and it just came out perfect. Sometimes you get a little lucky and that was certainly -- I hit a great shot, but it was a little lucky to go in.
Q. I was just curious, what's it like going from the Western Am to playing here at Harbor Shores?
CHRIS DiMARCO: Well, I can't remember what the Western Am was because it was so long ago. Probably twice your age. Obviously for some reason, good memories, doesn't matter where you are, just has good vibes everywhere. This town always has it for me. Like I said, played pretty good couple years ago. Finished top 25 I think or right around there.
So, yeah, there is something about it. Felt pretty comfortable out there today and feel like having my wife on the bag really helps. She keeps me calm and keeps me in line, which is good. If I start getting down on myself, she doesn't let it happen.
Q. Curious, what keeps you motivated during the off-season?
CHRIS DiMARCO: Skiing. Getting away from golf. We live in Denver so get to go skiing a lot.
Grandchildren.
And then my son is also a professional golfer so, probably between December and the end of January I'll spend three to five weeks with him in Tampa playing golf.
I get my reps in for sure, but it's kind of nice to get away from the game for a little bit and do different things. Obviously being in Denver there is not much golf going on in December and January.
Q. I know you're a couple years younger, but your fellow Gator on the board found a resurgence.
CHRIS DiMARCO: Scotty Dunlap. I played with him in Houston when he won. I played with him those 36 holes and he hit the ball fantastic. You know, like I said, good play breeds confidence and he's got it going right now.
I hope I get to play with him tomorrow. Great pairing for me. Great guy and we have a lot in common. Be a fun day.
Q. Seems really excited about winning again and just the opportunities.
CHRIS DiMARCO: Yeah, totally. For the first I think five or six tournaments he was one of the guys on the edge of getting in or not getting in. I think he's pretty pumped that he knows he's going to get in for the next year and a half.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports