Q. Denny, bogey-free round. What was the mentality coming into today knowing you probably had to go low after what J.T. did yesterday?
DENNY McCARTHY: Yeah, got to make birdies. Yeah, no other way around it at this place. You can't just coast around making pars around here.
Came out with an aggressive mindset trying to shoot something low to mid-60s. Left a few out there; didn't make as many putts as I did to start yesterday, but I'm playing some solid golf, so like where my game is. Just come out with the same mentality tomorrow.
Q. Good bounce-back after last week; you had two Top 10s there. What has allowed you to regain the form after missing the cut last week?
DENNY McCARTHY: I think I was just exhausted last week. I didn't quite realize how mentally and physically taxing it is to be in contention at a major championship.
That was my first time doing it. I was probably still running off a little adrenaline Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and I was just really tired last week.
Honestly, you never want to miss cuts, but it was honestly -- if I wanted to get into the British Open, which is what the goal is here this week, honestly probably a good thing I missed the cut last week. Coming into this week a little more fresh.
Q. Good for you mentally then though to get back and make a cut and now put yourself in contention?
DENNY McCARTHY: Yeah, for sure. I knew my game was good. Last week was a little disappointing, but like I said, again, I was exhausted. I needed a few days off on the weekend. Even took Tuesday off.
I just needed some time to just relax, save some energy. I knew the game was in a good spot, and I've obviously showed that a little bit here the first few days.
Q. What has been working for the first two days?
DENNY McCARTHY: Just everything really. Everything is just really solid. I got off to a shaky start ball striking-wise yesterday. My putter kind of kept me in it early.
And then the last 27 holes I've hit the ball really, really nice. Driving it in the fairway, hitting quality iron shots, good wedge shots; I've rolled in some nice putts.
So just a little bit of everything.
Q. Until the last hole you and Vaughan were both tied second coming in. Do you feed off when another guy is playing as well as you are in the same group?
DENNY McCARTHY: Yeah. I've played with Vaughan a handful of times, and we have going to time when we play together. He's very relaxed and I'm a little quicker, but I like hanging back with him and talking with him.
Sometimes it slows you down. Sometimes it's nice to have someone to talk to. Kevin as well. I mean, Kevin wasn't playing as good as us, but we were having nice chats down the fairways, so I think that helps make it a nice relaxed round.
Q. Final grouping tomorrow; you're four shots back. Do you like being with J.T. tomorrow knowing that you may be able to put some pressure on him?
DENNY McCARTHY: Yeah, for sure. I'm actually staying in a house with J.T. this week. Me, J.T., and four other guys. So it'll be fun. Probably go back and play some cards tonight and it'll be fun tomorrow.
J.T. is a good buddy of mine. Yeah, obviously looking forward to playing with him. Obviously looking forward to maybe trying to apply a little pressure on him.
Q. Does that happen a lot, where you've been in contention with a guy that you've been staying with?
DENNY McCARTHY: Not much, no. This is the first time I can really think of. I didn't really stay in houses my first few years on tour, and more so the last two years or so.
So it'll be fun. We'll have some -- I'm sure we'll have some fun tonight, some fun tomorrow, too.
Q. How do you put some pressure on a guy who's playing so well?
DENNY McCARTHY: Just got to keep doing what I'm doing. I can't pay attention to what he's doing. I'm sure he's going to come out and he's going to have some good birdie looks. You know, I'm hoping to do the same.
I'm just going to come out with the same mindset where I need to keep making birdies, because you can't -- you can't make pars out here and expect to move up the board.
You got to be being aggressive. You got to take advantage when you have a short iron or wedge in your hand. You got to attack.
The greens are soft today. You got to be able to attack some pins even if they feel like they're on the tougher side. If you have a short iron in your hand you need to be aggressive.
So just keep doing what I've been doing and see how it goes.
Q. I know you're pros, but, man, you're staying in the same house. You going to have some pranks tonight? Come on, you got to do something.
DENNY McCARTHY: No, I don't know about any pranks, but we've been playing some gin and Yahtzee. We been having fun this week. It's definitely kept it nice and light, especially coming off last week where I was really tired.
It's nice to be in a house with a bunch of guys and hanging around with at night and going to dinners with.
It's definitely been a nice relaxed week so far.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports