Q. What's been working well over the first two days?
MAVERICK McNEALY: I've really putted well. That's been the star of my bag. I definitely hit it a little bit better today than I did yesterday, but I've been riding that flat stick all week.
Q. Solid run as of late, maybe not high-high finishes. What has been keeping you from having a couple of those throughout the last couple months?
MAVERICK McNEALY: I would say my hitting has been inconsistent. I've had stretches where I hit it awesome and stretches where I've kind of lost the feel. Really getting back to basics and kind of the fundamentals of things that have led me to improve my ball striking all year long.
But the bright spot for me has been the putter over the last month or so has really started to come around. It's the best part of my game, and when it's going, it's a really good sign.
Q. Does it help that you've got a little cushion in your FedExCup rankings that you can work on things this late in the year and not feel like you have to chase?
MAVERICK McNEALY: Absolutely. My brother Scout and I were talking last week about how much less of a pressure cooker it was to be there knowing that I'm all the way through to the TOUR Championship, and really the goal is to peak next week. I want to play great this week, but next week is the tournament we all want to win.
We all have a chance starting at zero, and it's going to be a great competition. But seeing some really good things. I definitely have a few things to iron out in my golf swing, but really excited about how the putter is feeling.
Q. First time at the TOUR Championship next week; doing it without a win is always impressive.
MAVERICK McNEALY: Yeah, I'm so excited. From rookie orientation, that's been to me the mark of having a great season and a mark of being one of the best players on the PGA TOUR. I'm just so excited to say that I've earned a spot there and to go play.
I've never been to that golf course, never been there before, but it's been circled on my calendar for a long time, and I'm really excited to get there.
Q. What are you most proud of about this season? You've been so consistent all year.
MAVERICK McNEALY: You know, I think I owe a lot to my team for guiding me in the right direction. I've worked extremely hard this year, but the hardest thing in golf isn't putting in the work, it's knowing what to work on. I think I owe a lot of credit to my team for guiding me the right way so the practice balls that I am putting in are moving me the right way, the time spent in the gym is moving me towards my goals. I've just been enjoying the good results on the golf course, so it's been a lot of fun.
Q. Softer conditions after the rain yesterday, but does 14-under look as impressive to you as it does to people watching?
MAVERICK McNEALY: 14, I remember checking that number when I got back to the hotel yesterday and thinking, like, wow, six in a row on the back nine, that's real golf. That said, though, you hit a bunch of greens and that putter gets hot, low scores are out there. The hole is the same size for everybody every day.
Definitely going to need his putter to cool off if we want any hope of catching him, but as I said, I kind of rode my putter to a 6-under round today, and if I just hit it a little bit tighter tomorrow and keep putting well, it'll be a lot of fun.
Q. I think you're 11th right now in the Ryder Cup points list. Where do you feel like you are in terms of trying to make that team and what you might need to do?
MAVERICK McNEALY: Honestly, I don't know. It's not my decision to make. I just want to throw my name in the hat as a good option. If my name is called, I want to be playing great and ready to put up some points next month.
It was really fun to play with Keegan these past two days and the first two days in Memphis. I've played seven rounds with him this year, which has been a lot of fun, and I feel like I've played really well every time I've been paired with him.
Definitely tried to put my best foot forward and show him my good stuff. A lot of Americans playing good is a great thing for our team, so I hope everyone keeps playing well, and if I'm the guy, I would be pumped to be there.
Q. I have to imagine it's hard not to think about it if you're paired with him that much?
MAVERICK McNEALY: Definitely. It's been on our minds all year. It's a lot of fun. It adds a little bit of pressure, that's for sure. But when you're feeling pressure, you know you're in the right spot and you know you're right where you want to be in this game.
I always say pressure and adrenaline kind of lets you hit some shots that you might not be able to execute otherwise, so I'm excited about where I am.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports