Q. How would you assess that round today? First time back here since 2019.
BUD CAULEY: I think I was here the year it got canceled, actually, in '20. I don't know if that counts.
Yeah, I hit a lot of good shots, and I got out of position a few times and made some bogeys, but was really happy with the way that I putted and drove the ball, too, for the most part. Was able to give myself a lot of looks and knock some in.
Q. How does it feel to be back on the home course for you?
BUD CAULEY: Yeah, it's great. I grew up as a kid coming to this tournament every year. Every time I get to come play, it brings back a lot of memories of coming out here and watching and seeing the guys play and hoping one day I'd be able to play. It's always a lot of fun for me.
Q. It seems like the home course was treating you pretty well.
BUD CAULEY: Yeah, yeah. Made a lot of birdies today, which was great. Hopefully I can keep doing that and just clean up some of the bogeys.
Q. What did you do well here today that you didn't do well in 2017, 2018, 2019?
BUD CAULEY: Put the ball in the fairway a little bit more, I think, and I also just putted really well. I had a lot of looks today from like 12, 15 feet kind of range and was able to knock in a few of those, and that kind of kept my round going. Even when I would make a bogey I was able to get it back pretty quick, which kept my momentum going.
Q. Is your family and friends the reason Saturday is sold out?
BUD CAULEY: Yeah, obviously growing up here, I have a lot of friends and family. It's great. I feel like growing up, the town has always obviously supported this tournament a lot, so I don't want to take credit for that. I don't know if it's necessarily me, but it's a big event for Jacksonville, and it's always fun when everybody comes out.
Q. I think the last time a, quote-unquote, local -- one was Cam Smith. What would it be like for you to get that local back in the winning column here?
BUD CAULEY: Yeah, it would be great. It would be a dream come true. Like I said, coming here every year and watching this tournament and dreaming of winning, so if I can put myself there on Sunday, that would be great.
Q. How were you prepping on Monday? You were obviously here hoping to get in?
BUD CAULEY: I was home Monday. I was thinking about driving up. I was one out at the time, but the weather looked bad, so I stayed home, had an extra day with the family, and then got in, kind of like mid-morning Monday and then drove up Tuesday morning. So after that it was just kind of a normal week.
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