Q. First round of the Playoffs; how do you feel after the opening round?
SI WOO KIM: It was a tough start, especially my driver wasn't feeling good earlier on the front nine, and haven't hit the fairways much. So tough to start, and somehow my putting worked really good, so kind of kept me in there, and the back nine I kind of fell back a little bit of driver. Hit a lot of fairways and somehow got a lot of birdie chances at the end.
Putting was all day good, so it was helping to shoot 5-under.
Q. What hole did the driver begin to feel comfortable, that it started clicking?
SI WOO KIM: It kind of started 10. I have like three different swing thoughts, so kind of just picked two and that helped me have a little clear mind.
10, 12, 13, I hit good drives. Coming in the last five holes, I felt quite comfortable.
Q. This is your best round at TPC Southwind since 2022. What's the biggest difference today?
SI WOO KIM: I would say putting. I've been struggling the last few, six weeks with putting, so I worked really hard the last couple weeks with a new coach and then it works really good today. I think that helps me a lot.
Q. How important was it for you to get off to a good start, trying to get into BMW?
SI WOO KIM: Yeah, it's kind of like dicey spot right now. And started struggling, so I was like, I don't know if I can get through to next week. But tried to keep it as simple as possible, and that helps me a lot. I had a great round, so hopefully I've got more room to be the next couple days, like pressure-wise. Just trying to make it simple and not much think about next week.
Q. After a full round today, what are your thoughts on the new greens?
SI WOO KIM: New greens are definitely firmer, especially from the rough. There's no chance to stop. Even I hit a 52-degree my second hole, pulled it and it didn't stop. It's so hard to play with the rough. Fairway kind of stops pretty good except long irons. It's kind of firm but less grainy, so easier to green reading, I think.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports