Q. Rico, 8-under of 63. Nice way to start. What was super special about that round today?
RICO HOEY: I drove the ball great. I've had some pretty good days where I drove it, but today was one of the best ones I've seen. Having ball in hand helped a lot, so took advantage of it.
Q. Did you feel it coming? This season been kind of up and down for you a little bit. Did you feel like it was getting closer?
RICO HOEY: You know, I think for me, yeah, it's been up and down, but from the start of the last season and comparing it I think I'm doing a way better job.
Just feel like there are rounds I've been clicking; other rounds I haven't put it up. Kind of nice to get the momentum rolling now. This is the season to really kick it into gear.
Q. Much nicer day today than yesterday. How do you spend your day yesterday?
RICO HOEY: Just relaxing, getting some physio done from my trainer, and just going out to the putting studio my putting coach found, hit a few putts, and kind of just chilled.
Q. You opened your round with a bunch of pars. Did you feel like lightning was about to strike, eagle, par, birdie, birdie, birdie, birdie, birdie?
RICO HOEY: Yeah, the eagle was great. I knew it's a long track and being first off it's just hard to get your mind and body going. I did that, and felt like I was playing well.
Just it happens. Golf is one of those you got to stay patient at times, and I did a great job of that. I rattled off five straight birdies and that was awesome.
Q. How did the course play in terms of the rye grass?
RICO HOEY: I think it played great. I like this kind of stuff. I thought the greens were awesome. I felt like they almost picked up speed as the day went. It was really cool. They did a great job, the staff out here.
Q. Did you get a chance to play it before the rain hit?
RICO HOEY: Yeah, so on Tuesday we kind of mapped out, played 18 just in case. I felt like Wednesday, I was in the Wednesday pro-am, but seeing the weather coming I figured might as well play 18. I knew Wednesday was going to be a wash.
Q. Did it play differently with so much rain or not?
RICO HOEY: I feel like the course got better with the rain surprisingly; at least for me. I can only speak good about it. I think the staff did a great job. Greens were rolling nicely, smooth; fairways were pretty similar.
So not bad at all.
Q. You won professionally but not on the PGA TOUR. What kind of breakthrough would that be for your career?
RICO HOEY: I mean, it would be great, but it's just the first round. Hopefully I can answer that question on Sunday.
Q. You said your putting coach is here. Anything in particular you're working on on the greens?
RICO HOEY: I think basically even like with my other swing coach, Ross Fisher, we always worked on setup. At times it gets wonky, so worked on that a lot, and just getting the right base to it.
I feel like I read the greens well enough. Just a matter of matching read and speed and alignment, so trying to match all that up together.
Q. You mentioned on the radio that you've been kind of grinding, traveling three or four weeks, and yesterday helped to relax a little bit. Really feel like that made a difference, just sitting around while the weather took over?
RICO HOEY: I guess mentally, yeah. You're trying to convince yourself -- being out here you want to grind and be the best, but sometimes having that day off helps out, too. I am glad we had a day off. I feel like I benefited out of it.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports