Q. How would you characterize the final round?
MACKENZIE HUGHES: Man, it was playing tough out there, and I played awesome. I really had a chance to win today. I missed a few shortish chances, like a five-footer on No. 5 and I missed like a five-footer on 11.
It was one of those days where I hit some really great iron shots really close and I could kind of feel I had something going early. Yeah, it was just a shot here or there and I'm right there.
It's like, it's bittersweet. I'm excited with what my game showed this week. But when you get close at the end, you're kind of wanting a little more.
Overall I was pleased with the way I played, and it was fun to be in the mix.
Q. How much confidence will you take from a week like this?
MACKENZIE HUGHES: Yeah, tons. It's been a relatively slow ish start to the year for me. I played well in Houston and felt like I was building on some things there, and now to come here and kind of solidify where my game is headed feels really good.
I've got some work to do still. There are some things I still want to shore up a little bit. But really pleased with the progress I saw this week, and like I said, nice to build off the momentum I had there in Houston.
Q. Approach play this week, best part of the game at least statistically. Is that what the key is for you to play well in these events?
MACKENZIE HUGHES: Yeah, I think I alluded to it earlier this week; I still think the driving for me is kind of the big thing. Typically if my iron play is good, my putter can do some damage.
But certainly today I just hit some shots really, really close and I think that is a quick way to accelerate your rounds and give you a bunch of confidence. I hit some exceptional iron shots, and credit to my caddie Jules, pulled a lot of great clubs today and we were in sync and making good decisions.
Yeah, to hit the irons the way I did and drive it pretty well, it's a nice combination for me.
Q. Was there any pressure you were feeling? Still early in the season, but to see a good result to where that's not something you're thinking about a ton later on if possible?
MACKENZIE HUGHES: Yeah, for sure. Look, there's a lot more pressure on this year being that we're going down to 100 cards. I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind a couple times early on this year where I'm sitting precariously where I am in the FedExCup. I think I was 93rd coming into this week. Yeah, it's become harder.
To have a result like this and to do it when I know the points are going to be amplified, it's massive for me.
I don't have any more Signature Event starts left this year unless I can get in off this Aon 10 or the Swing 5. So yeah, to capitalize on a sponsor invite, grab a bunch of points, that's massive for me.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports