Q. Take me through the round, good first round is always a good thing. So what worked well for you out there?
PATTON KIZZIRE: I played freely. That's been a focus of mine to allow myself to go play. I gave myself a lot of opportunities. I missed a few early and I could have gotten discouraged but I didn't. I kept knocking them close and eventually converted a decent amount. I love this golf course and the way it sets up and it's just a great way to start the new year.
Q. You mentioned starting the new year. The calmness of Hawai'i does that help you get off to a good start?
PATTON KIZZIRE: Yeah, this place has nice vibes. It's a not always calm wind-wise. It was this morning and I knew it would be, and I knew I needed to keep the pedal down and make a bunch of birdies. I've played really well and I'm pleased with 7-under.
Q. Obviously driving is a premium out here at Waialae, and with the rough being up more this year, how did this come into play?
PATTON KIZZIRE: Yeah, the rough is pretty gnarly. I found it a few times and was able to manage. That's huge. I gave myself pretty easy pars on the holes that I was out of position, and the ones I was in position, I gave myself really good looks. I'm not going to dwell on the ones that I missed. I had several, I think I had three putts inside six feet that I missed.
But I stayed patient and kept knocking them close. It was fun out there.
Q. You mentioned the tough rough. We are coming off 34 under winning the tournament last year. You can go low with the conditions here. How do you think the tournament will play out? Are the low scores possible again?
PATTON KIZZIRE: Yeah, the course is fantastic. Guys are going to play well every week and everybody is so good now. You really have to play your best to win and you've got to take it deep. You've got to keep the pedal down. Pars don't give you much these days, so I think the scores will be pretty good and just looking to make more birdies.
Q. You mentioned you said you played freely. Coming to paradise, maybe easier to play freely in paradise?
PATTON KIZZIRE: Yeah, this place is so nice. I enjoy starting the new year here every year and unfortunately my family wasn't able to make it this year. We got a newborn, so they were on my mind today. It's always, always great to be at Waialae.
Q. How old is the newborn?
PATTON KIZZIRE: Two months. I have an almost two-year-old and a two-month old, so they kept me quite busy every last few months in the off-season. It feels weird without them.
Q. 2018 is when you found success. I know it's been a crazy last couple years, and obviously new family developments for you, but what's life been like for you since you won this event and over the last few years, especially?
PATTON KIZZIRE: Well, family life has been fantastic. Golf-wise I haven't won since the 2018 Sony Open, so I feel like I would like to fix that and get a win. I always have nice vibes coming to Waialae and I carried that into today and play well.
Q. What do you think it will take tomorrow?
PATTON KIZZIRE: Going to go out there and see what happens. Every day's different. Golf never goes how you plan. Just have to adjust and keep going.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports