Q. Austin, great opening round. Clean card. What was working really well for you today?
AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, nice to have a great round. It's been two in the last three weeks where I really got things going. It's great to have some confidence on the golf course, so that's the big thing for the most part.
Confidence level is high. The ball striking is great today. Holed one out. Hit some close. Was solid over the putter. Didn't make a whole lot of outside putts, but the game was good. Just fun to be in that position.
Q. How did that start, kind of kickstart you? Eagle 2 and hole-out on 5 for eagle and 5-under all of a sudden.
AUSTIN ECKROAT: Right.
Q. How did that get you going?
AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, that can do one of two things. Get you thinking too far ahead. Luckily I didn't get too far ahead of myself. I knew the game was good going into the week. Felt confident.
To go out and be 3-under through two is a huge boost. Kind of gets you ahead of the field early, which was great.
Q. What was the reaction to the shot on 5?
AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, it was a little too early to go nuts, but it was still -- threw my hands up in the air. Had fun. If it was late on Sunday, probably been more of a reaction for sure.
Q. When you're trying to get just going and you want to keep that even keel, how tough is that to keep yourself at a level pace playing so well?
AUSTIN ECKROAT: Right, on the hole-out it kind of helps whenever you have a time to sit down and watch the other guys finish the hole and move on past it.
But, yeah, I've never made a hole-in-one on the PGA TOUR. I imagine that's a hard one to move on from. Yeah, just focus on breathing just relax yourself.
Q. According to ShotLink where your drive -- position, a lot of shots get blocked on that side. Were you blocked?
AUSTIN ECKROAT: On what hole?
Q. 5.
AUSTIN ECKROAT: No, I was past the trees. I had 139 yards down to 136, so wide open shot. Just, yeah, it was in a good spot for sure.
Q. Good number?
AUSTIN ECKROAT: Oh, yeah. Perfect full swing gap wedge, yeah.
Q. You know you have to go low here pretty much every day.
AUSTIN ECKROAT: Uh-huh.
Q. How do you turn this round into a solid round tomorrow? It's very easy to take your foot off the gas pedal you could all of a sudden go from where you are...
AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, I mean, 8-under is a great score. It's not like I ran away from the field at all. That's just when the conditions are like they were this morning that's what have to do.
Yeah, just going to try to do more of the same. You know, I'm definitely not in a safe position to where I'm going to be automatically in contention on the weekend. I got to go play some good golf. That's the main focus.
Q. This is the final stretch the season. You need FedExCup points. That in the back of your mind? Are you just trying to play gold?
AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, I'm just trying to play golf. I want to make the Playoffs obviously. I would say it's easier in my position having a job next season already locked up to not focus on it too much.
It just sucks I'm not in the majors right now. You just want to play good and be competing. I think that's more the side of it. I'm missing out on some really cool opportunities.
Yeah, just keep your head down and keep making birdies.
Q. It's one round so maybe a tough question to answer, but do you like being chased or do you like being the hunter? What's the mentality?
AUSTIN ECKROAT: More under par is always better I would say. There is a mentality switch when you're chasing somebody. I've been in both situations with the two wins I had last year; I was ahead in Florida and behind in Mexico. I would say I was probably more confident on the golf course in Mexico because I had to go attack.
Then I think both have their perks for sure.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports