Q. Michael, would be it particularly special to do something here again after where you've been and now that you're back?
MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, I mean, just I'm glad I got off to really nice start. I don't know exactly what I shot in 2018, but I hope I don't need to shoot 27-under.
But obviously very happy and satisfied with the first round today.
Q. That said, when Davis beat your record last year you mentioned on social media that you kind of were happy for him, but that lit a fire for you, hey, I got to come back and show them I know how to play this golf course too, right?
MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, I guess so. I tell him and his caddie, Joe, that I won by five, and I don't think he won by -- I think he won by maybe three or something. -
Q. You won by 8.
MICHAEL KIM: I won by 8, sorry.
Q. But it was only Francesco Molinari.
MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, so hopefully I can just keep it going.
Q. What's been working for you this year and last couple years? Really seem to have found something.
MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, just feel like my swing is in a much better place. Today I hit it great. Had kind of everything going today, so hopefully I can keep going.
Q. It's an interesting dichotomy between you and Max. Max was kind of a Twitter king for a real long time, and I don't know if you heard what he said yesterday; he's not much after fan of it. Yet you really use it to your advantage. Any reaction to his comments?
MICHAEL KIM: I mean, he has a much bigger following than I do so that means he gets way more the bad stuff than I do.
I have a feeling that he'll come back at some point, but I think everyone needs a break off social media once in a while. I think it's probably better for his mental health for him to take some time off.
Q. What drove to you dive into Twitter as fully as you have?
MICHAEL KIM: I got bored, for one. When I was on the Korn Ferry TOUR a few years back, yeah, really saw the following that Max had made and just wanted to try it out and see what happened.
So far it's been great.
Q. Golf can be a lonely game. Does posting on social media and interacting with fans and building a connection make you feel a little less lonely out there?
MICHAEL KIM: For one, it is a lonely game, but I in general don't feel like a ton of loneliness. I'm totally happy kind of by myself and with my girlfriend or whatever.
There is that.
And also, I take -- I really enjoy the relationship I have on Twitter with my followers, but at the end of the day it's the real friends and family that have been with me for a long time that I cherish way more.
Social media is great, but it's -- I think it should be way more about my really close friends.
Q. Have you had any negative interactions with followers?
MICHAEL KIM: I mean, everyone has it I feel like. Whether it's the daily Fantasy crew that gets mad at me that I play bad, or even someone like the LIV paid guys that will tweet at me.
But before I used to kind of just look away. Now I just block them and it's just a much better way after that.
Q. That's how you deal with it, you just block it? You don't get into any back and forth?
MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, I used to. I just realized might as well just yell at a wall. So, yeah.
Q. I love your authenticity on X as well. Just wanted to ask you the difference between you now and that kid who showed up here and surprised everybody, ups and downs and getting back into fantastic playing form?
MICHAEL KIM: Obviously I had a fantastic week in 2018, but I just think I'm a much more complete player physically and mentally. So just kind of a lightning-in-a-bottle moment. What I've been doing now feels way more sustainable. I think I'll be able to handle it better leading up.
Q. What was the reaction in the locker room when you started making these really amusing posts? Some of your stuff is quite random and also some quite entertaining.
MICHAEL KIM: Mostly good. Harry Higgs just a few days ago said something on some of my stuff. I don't think I'm sharing top secret or anything that any other PGA TOUR might not know.
So everyone kind of knows what I'm talking about. I just share it more than others. When they mention it, I feel a little awkward because I feel like I'm sharing to people outside the ropes, and when someone inside the ropes talks to me about it I feel a little awkward about it. I think it's more for people that I don't really know.
When someone like Harry mentions it it's a little awkward. Obviously all positive I feel like.
Q. How have you turned lightning in a bottle into the sustained success you're seeing?
MICHAEL KIM: Everything came together at that point. Now just overall feel like I've raised the floor way more. You know, even though today was a great round, doesn't feel out of place or anything like that.
Q. Can you talk about the golf course? It's really hot; going to be hot all weekend. How does that affect it? What parts are gettable? What aren't?
MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, the fairways are pretty firm for the most part and the greens are soft, so scoring conditions are fantastic. Greens are great. Yeah, course is in great shape for more birdies. Hopefully by me.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports