Q. How would you characterize how you day went for you?
AKSHAY BHATIA: I mean, got off to the start I needed. Just played pretty good. Just didn't really make any putts today after the start I had.
I made a really good birdie on 9, which I felt like was a big momentum, and then 10, I thought I hit a good drive. I was just blocked out by that tree and kind of in a tough situation there. All in all, pretty pleased with this result.
It's a tough golf course, great field, obviously the best that we have on the PGA TOUR. To be 23 and battling with Rory McIlroy who I've looked up for years is pretty cool.
Q. I know you've won twice on the TOUR, but did you feel comfortable out there, like, I belong in this position?
AKSHAY BHATIA: Yeah, I definitely did. I think yesterday was a big learning experience being in the final group of this tournament. Today I just felt like -- I enjoyed chasing today. I think that was really fun. I felt like once I did get in the spotlight, I'm ready for it.
Today just wasn't my time. Hopefully I'll have plenty of opportunities around this place.
Q. You mentioned not making as many putts today. You had a lot of really good looks down the stretch. Did you feel like you hit good putts on those?
AKSHAY BHATIA: Yeah, I did. I think once we got a little moisture on the greens, it softened it for sure. I feel like maybe the grain kind of maybe played a little factor. We weren't playing much grain the whole week. I felt like I hit a nice putt on our restart on 13. I hit a nice putt on 15 that didn't break. Had a good putt -- sorry 14 -- sorry, 15. Hit a good putt on 16, too. Then made a really nice putt on 17. And then 18, I don't really know how that one didn't go in. Even the second shot, I thought I made it.
Yeah, I hit a lot of good putts, and it's a different feeling when you get more and more in contention. You just learn about your tendencies. That was a huge thing for me to learn today, and super excited about kind of dissecting this week and going on to the next.
Q. Do you feel like this was a big learning curve this week, all positives coming out of it?
AKSHAY BHATIA: Yeah. I felt like I have a lot of take away from this week. Pretty disappointed; obviously I want to come out and win and enjoy that feeling again. But all in all, yeah, just a big learning experience.
Just such a fun week. This tournament is amazing when you're in contention here.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports