Q. How did it feel out there today compared with yesterday? Different conditions late in the day, windy.
JUSTIN THOMAS: Yeah, the golf course felt completely different. It's definitely firming up. We even noticed it just kind of on some chips, the pitch shots, like some wedges, the balls. Shots that I felt like I hit very nicely, and it just doesn't -- it's not spinning as much. They're getting crusty, and it's fun.
This place is so cool, I think, to play when it's like this. It just puts such an emphasis on precision.
I need to drive it a little bit better than I did today to be able to put it in better spots. Yeah, it was a great grind to shoot a couple under today.
Q. That shot on 15 was good.
JUSTIN THOMAS: It was.
Q. Can you say something nice about it better than I can write it?
JUSTIN THOMAS: It was. It's probably -- ideally I would love to hit 5-wood into that green versus a 3-wood, just for the aspect of getting it over the trees, both in front of you and that one tree that just kind of tends to be in the way sometimes on your second shot.
It really was a perfect number. Joe, I feel like, did a great job there. He's still getting used to everything as much as I am. We were kind of talking about the shot and trying to hit it right at the green. The tree was kind of in the way. I was like, I feel like it's a good 3-wood number, and he was like yeah.
Then after I hit it, he goes, I'm so glad you said that because I thought it was a perfect cut 3-wood, but I didn't want to say that. That's some of the funny adjustments and things we're working with.
It was nice, though. To get it on the green there in two is always a bonus.
Q. You've won on many different types of golf courses. Do you like this type of golf or more the big parks?
JUSTIN THOMAS: I do. I don't think I've necessarily had as much success here, as if you want to call them birdie fests or whatever it may be. I still view this place that it can be like that.
I understand yesterday is a bit of a one-off, but I truly do feel like every time I tee it up at a place like this or Colonial, I can -- when I've played it, I can make a bunch of birdies. Sawgrass, I feel the same way.
If you get it in play, you can make so many birdies. It's just, if you get it out of position off the tee, it's extremely difficult. This place is even more so than those other spots.
I just think it's -- you have a lot of shots. You're not just grabbing a club off the tee and just hitting it. It requires way more thought and precision than that, I'd say.
Q. How's it been having Joe on the bag generally?
JUSTIN THOMAS: It's great. We've had a lot of fun. I think we -- it's hard because it's -- I always -- have always thought caddies are in a tough spot already and kind of like a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation, let alone when it's the second week he's ever caddied for me.
He knows I'm playing well, and he knows that I feel the same way. So he's wanting to help but also trying to not over caddie, and it's tough. But he's doing a great job. It's more fun than anything just because he's got a great personality and sense of humor where I can make fun of him.
Some hole today, we were talking about something, and I was like, no, it's a perfect this. Afterwards, he goes, you know, you can tell me to shut up if it's the wrong club. I'm like I kind of indirectly did. Just a lot of stuff like that, but we're having good fun.
Q. You've had chances to win this season, past seasons. Has there been any common thread when you get in contention on the weekend and it doesn't go your way that you've noticed or just different things that pop up?
JUSTIN THOMAS: I'd say so. I'd say the majority of it has just been pressing and trying too hard. It's so -- I mean, all of us, I would assume, want to win so bad and I want to win so bad. I'm sick of getting asked. I almost feel like I'm kind of past the point where fortunately you all have stopped asking me, which is nice, but I would also prefer to get that over with.
I think it's just that's something I feel like I did so, so well there for a couple of years is I just let tournaments come to me and I just trusted in my ability. That's just really been my key this week is I'm just trying to really trust my game and commit to what I'm doing.
I have a lot of faith and confidence in what I can do. So I just need to let it happen.
Q. In '23 you talked about how the Ryder Cup kind of actively put pressure on yourself. Two years ago you obviously didn't have your best season. Have you tried to not do that this year? Does this help that your game's in a better state where you don't put the pressure on, or how have you learned from that experience a few years ago?
JUSTIN THOMAS: It definitely helps. I think I did a better job with it last year. I think I said it kind of in the fall or maybe beginning of the year, but I'm kind of excited about playing a little pissed off that I didn't get picked for the Presidents Cup team. I don't like feel like I deserved to, but internally I always feel like I'm going to be a great addition.
It's a nice thing for me to get to do, and I just thought I would really like to put myself in a position where I'm not relying on a pick anymore because it's not fun. I can't really complain about getting picked or not getting picked if I just qualify. So that's the goal.
Q. Do you play better maybe when you have a little chip on your shoulder?
JUSTIN THOMAS: Yeah, I think so. It's a fine line. I can't get overly fired up about it, but I think there's some things internally that it's kind of like -- you know, it's a nice I told you so kind of thing.
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