THE MODERATOR: We are joined here with the John Deere Classic defending champion, Davis Thompson. Davis, welcome back. What's it like to be back on site where you captured your first PGA TOUR victory?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, it's really cool. Yeah, a lot of memories. A lot of just kind of walk around the course, just remembering shots I hit and stuff like that.
And then, yeah, it's really cool to be back here. The community always turns out great for this tournament. Course is already a little firm and fast, so excited to get the week going.
Q. You said a lot of memories. Any in particular, especially from final round?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Honestly, just looking back, I feel like once I hit the fairway on 15 I kind of felt like the tournament was really in control; kind of that sense of relief.
And then just hugging my wife on 18.
Q. Do you watch your rounds? In the past year have you been able to watch this tournament back?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, really just the highlights. Yeah, it's just cool to kind of go back and watch that if I'm down or if I need a little confidence boost. Nice to go back and watch that for sure.
Q. Your own parking spot here, but what was it like to see and get your own bobble head?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, that was interesting. They sent me probably around 40 and I got a bunch of friends texting me they want one. I'll have to ship some out when I get home.
Q. Compare this to getting ready for other tournaments, media obligations, a little more attention. What's this week like compared to other weeks on TOUR for you?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, this is a new experience for me. It's definitely pretty cool to kind of do this stuff. Hopefully the goal is to do this stuff every week. But, yeah, it's cool.
I mean, haven't had too many other obligations, but, yeah, at the end of the day just trying to prepare the best I can and get ready for Thursday.
Q. Here comes the question: I talked to Denny yesterday about the house. I didn't see him roll his eyes, but I could hear him. Is that a tiresome subject, or do you kick it around and just enjoy the fact that it's been such a unique thing to have three champions at the same house?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, it's definitely unique, but, you know, we have a lot of really good players in the house, too so it's a good percentage for us.
Yeah, there is seven of us this year. Just playing a lot of dice and cards. Yeah, it's been fun.
Q. Who is staying this week?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Let's see, myself, Denny McCarthy, Chris Kirk, JT Poston, Greyson Sigg, Patton Kizzire, and Ben Kohles. So seven of us. Good group.
Q. Are you staying in the same room?
DAVIS THOMPSON: I am, yeah. Yeah, I got dibs, so going to stay there again and hopefully have some same results.
Q. Was there a little competition to get that last room?
DAVIS THOMPSON: No, not for me. Some guys came in Monday night, so I was able to -- I came here Sunday night after Detroit, so was able to snag it when I got here.
Q. Denny mentioned that every now and then a wife will come by. How does that work? Does that break the sanctity of the code, the frat house?
DAVIS THOMPSON: No, I think Monday through Thursday is kind of like guys hanging out and then the wives and the family kind of come up for the weekend.
Some of them are getting on the charter to go to the Scottish. I feel like after Thursday families are welcome to come.
Q. You set the scoring record last year, so obviously something was working. Been on the course a couple days. Do you get a sense you're finding that again or what was working last year that you can translate to this year, this week?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, I feel like I've been doing a lot of really good things. Just hasn't really come together for four rounds yet. So just trying to put four rounds together.
I've had a lot of good 9-hole, 12-hole stretches or 36-hole stretches and 9 holes or 18 holes kind of get me.
It's been frustrating, but just trying to put it all together. Obviously I have a lot of confidence on this course, so hopefully that will translate to some really good scores this week.
Q. Have the last couple weeks helped you feel like you're building momentum coming into this week?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, the results have been okay I guess. You know, when I look back at the big picture I have taken away some positives and been some definite strides in my game in the past few weeks.
Q. Called your front nine at the Rocket Classic last week chaotic. Made three eagles; shot 32. How do you find more consistency and more level, and what do you like about your game and not like about your game right now?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, I mean, that was a crazy nine-hole stretch. Yeah, it's just kind of tough. Just kind of the way it goes sometimes with golf. It's a fickle game.
You can hit a lot of really good shots and not get the results you want. Just for some reason just hadn't really clicked the past few weeks. I'm playing fine but just hasn't been what I'm used to seeing.
I feel like I'm starting to drive the ball better and hit putts more online and just working on my reads. Yeah, just really working on the mental side of things trying to not let anything affect me and just stay positive throughout the round.
Q. Talk about the golf course a little bit. What do you like about this course? What can you attack here? What are from last year, shots that you can hit that you like?
DAVIS THOMPSON: Yeah, I feel like you have four really good opportunities with the par-5s and 14, the drivable hole. And then there is some other par-4s where you'll have wedges into the greens. I feel like it's a course you can attack.
Playing yesterday, I feel like they're already firm and fast. Should set up to be pretty good scoring conditions.
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