Q. I heard you say down there this is possibly the hardest you've seen the wind blow around here. Safe to characterize it that way?
MATT KUCHAR: I've played in some tough conditions out here, but this was about as strong a wind, as unpredictable a wind as I've ever played.
I think most of the time you get a wind blowing 20 miles an hour, it's pretty true to one direction. It seemed to be blowing six different directions out here today. It was really, really challenging to figure out.
Q. That being said, what did you do so well to have such a good round?
MATT KUCHAR: I finished pretty well. I think it was knowing pars are good scores. Every hole, just you walk off with a par. I kind of just was playing as conservatively as I could around here, was able to sneak in a couple birdies.
This place just is try to find the fairway, try to find it. Middle of the green is going to give you a good birdie look. That was kind of the mentality today.
Q. Being a past champion here and how many times you've played around here, is it helpful when these conditions come up that you kind of know the golf course and know how holes will play in certain winds?
MATT KUCHAR: I don't know that I've got huge course knowledge advantage. I think most people have played here a bit, and it's a pretty simple one to figure out. There are a handful of areas that you can get away with shots either on the right side or even sometimes on the left.
I think hitting the ball solid, having some sort of control in this much wind. If you're not sure which direction you're going to get it and you're not quite pitching the ball solid, you're really going to affect the shot.
Thankfully I've been hitting a lot of solid shots, and it's so helpful in windy conditions.
Q. Deep down is there a part of you that likes when things get really tough, or is that just negative?
MATT KUCHAR: I don't know that anyone deep down loves it. I think some people realize they may have a slight advantage. I think everybody loves pristine, perfect conditions, I think. That's when you really look forward to playing.
I certainly know the other side, that you have a chance of climbing up the leaderboard a little bit more on a tough day if you're able to put together a good round.
Q. Completely out of left field, and I know you didn't play with him today, but any opinions on Erik van Rooyen's mustache?
MATT KUCHAR: I have not seen it.
Q. You haven't seen it?
MATT KUCHAR: He's got nice ankles, though. I see those every week.
Q. Where do you feel like your game is right now? Not just for this week, but as the season has moved along?
MATT KUCHAR: I'm pleased. I've been doing some good stuff. I spent some extra time with my coach Chris O'Connell the week of San Antonio, got to feeling pretty good about things. Unfortunately, I've got a little break coming up, next few weeks off after this. Any time you're playing well, you want to be playing on TOUR with a chance to help yourself out.
Yeah, certainly I've not had my best kind of the last two years, but starting to feel good about things again. Golf is certainly a lot more fun when you're in contention and have a chance to do something great.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports