Q. How does it feel to make it to the weekend in your PGA TOUR debut?
IAN GILLIGAN: It feels great. Obviously today was a grind. I think it was similar as yesterday because I just got off to a bad start, but I kind of -- I hit some solid shots down the stretch.
The par-5s out here, you really just need to hit a good tee shot and then just don't be dumb and just hit the middle of the green. You could two-putt for birdie, which is kind of what I did on the back nine today.
So, yeah, but feels great.
Q. Coming down the stretch before the final birdies, were aware of position? Were you leaderboard watching and talking with your caddie?
IAN GILLIGAN: I don't think my caddie really knew, but I kind of had a general idea. After nine holes I was not in a great spot.
Then probably, like, through -- I didn't really see any leaderboards until maybe 15, the par-5, and then I saw that it was, like, really close. It was 12 points. I think I had 10, and there were 73 guys.
So there was only two people who needed to kind of flip the cut line, so I knew ideally I could get it to 14. Yeah, I had a pretty good idea, but just tried to stay focused on executing the shots down the stretch.
Q. From Reno and the area. What family and friends do you have out supporting?
IAN GILLIGAN: I had tons of friends and family. Some of my high school buddies, parents, my uncle and cousins were out. Just a bunch of other buddies and girlfriends. Yeah, it was awesome to have the support like that and hear people cheer when you hit good shots. It was just really fun.
Q. What's the mindset now heading into the weekend with two more rounds to play?
IAN GILLIGAN: Yeah, I think my goal, it was to make the cut obviously, but I was hoping to play maybe get into contention possibly, but I think now making the cut it kind of just settles me a little bit, and now I can just really play with nothing to lose. I'm really just going to be playing pretty aggressive and just trying to make as many birdies as possible.
Q. We've seen recent success from amateurs. Nick Dunlap is also in the field. If you've been able to ask any advice or a Luke Clanton? Or what does it speak to the game with youth?
IAN GILLIGAN: I think the amateurs play at a really high level, especially in college. You know, when you see guys do that on this level, it gives you confidence. When you compete against them in college, you know, like, okay, if they can do it, I can do it.
So it definitely gives me some confidence. Also, just competing in an event and seeing kind of what level of golf it takes. I feel like my game is definitely ready to compete, but I just have to tighten up some things.
But, yeah, seeing guys have successes helps me a lot with confidence.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports