Boston Common Golf 7, Jupiter Links GC 6 (OT)
THE MODERATOR: We're now joined by Boston Common, who clinches the No. 1 seed in the playoffs following a thrilling victory tonight. Can we start with some opening remarks from each player, starting with Rory?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, fun night. I think there's always a little bit of extra energy in the building when Tiger is here. We came out and we played well. Jupiter came back at us, and it was sort of back and forth the whole night.
Yeah, obviously we knew we were in the playoffs, but to get through this one and clinch that 1 seed hopefully makes the path easier in the next couple weeks.
But yeah, it's the first time for me getting to play with Hideki this year, and I thought we all played great. Yeah, it was a good night.
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: We got off to a good start, played well. At the end, though, it got a little tight. It was kind of a nervous time. But glad that we were able to pull it off and come out winners.
KEEGAN BRADLEY: Yeah, I think we've come a long way from last year. We've wanted to get the 1 seed. I think in the playoffs, every team is so good. Every team is so good in here anyway, but we take a lot of pride in having a much better year here the second time around and look forward to the playoffs.
Q. Rory, that approach shot on Stinger, shades of 15 last year at Augusta --
RORY McILROY: A little bit, yeah.
Q. Can you elaborate on that?
RORY McILROY: I was actually at Augusta yesterday and I sort of went over there and hit the shot again.
Yeah, had two more clubs, 5-iron, but just had to -- I think that's the other thing; the technology is so good. I knew I had to hit a 30-yard hook. I was aiming it 30 yards right of the pin, so I just had to stand up there and trust my swing. Yeah, it actually ended up being a pretty pivotal moment and getting a half there because obviously Jupiter came back and won those last couple holes.
But yeah, I'd say I'm much more comfortable hitting that sort of hard hook with an iron than I am a big cut. It was not an easy shot but maybe a little bit easier than the other way.
Q. Keegan, we talked last week about the green speeds when it was cold outside. How much did that change with the week?
KEEGAN BRADLEY: Yeah, greens were slower in there today, and we were talking, when they're just a little bit slower, the ball rolls a little bit more true in here. I felt way more comfortable on the greens today. Give it a little bit more of a run, and you didn't have to worry about it going six, seven feet by. I thought the way the greens rolled today was the best I've seen them.
Q. Rory, how did it feel hitting the longest drive in TGL history?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, it was very slope assisted, depending on what part of the slope that you catch. But yeah, it was a good way to start the match. I hit a great drive off 1, and we were able to make birdie from there and win that hole. It set the tone early.
Q. Hideki, you've shown flashes of greatness in TGL this season. How comfortable are you becoming with the pace and flow of TGL this season?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: When you're blessed with such good teammates that I have, it makes it a whole lot easier. I'm really proud of from last year that we didn't play as well but we hung together, and a good result today.
Q. Are you getting used to the energy and the atmosphere here at SoFi?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yeah, last year I only was able to play two events, but this year I felt a little more comfortable. Grateful to be here.
Q. Keegan, to show for every match in both seasons, I know you have a lot of pride representing a Boston team, but what has made you willing to show up week in and week out here?
KEEGAN BRADLEY: Yeah, these guys are sick of me saying this, but I've dreamt of playing for a Boston team since I was two years old, so for me to be able to play for a Boston team, it really, like, means the world to me. I want to play well for my teammates but also where I came from. We have an incredible ownership group in Fenway that I really want to represent well, and I take a lot of pride in representing the region.
I feel growing up where I grew up, there's winters, and for kids to get to the PGA TOUR, it's difficult. I feel like sometimes I have to carry that torch for that region for the kids there. I take a lot of pride in showing them that we can do this.
To come out and play for a team that is where I'm from truly means the world to me. I know this isn't our real day job, but for me, when I'm in here, I want to go out and win just like I'd want to win any week, and especially when I've got teammates that are counting on me.
Q. Keegan said how proud he is to play for the team from his region. Do you think the same, Rory and Hideki?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, I'm proud to represent the city of Boston. As Keegan said, we have a wonderful ownership group in Fenway who are very deep in golf, obviously, part of SSG and part owners of the PGA TOUR. Yeah, I feel like -- I think the relationships that we've developed over the past couple years have gotten deeper because of our time together, which is a wonderful thing.
Yeah, I'm really proud to be wearing this Boston green, and hopefully we can get them a championship here in a couple weeks' time.
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I'm not from Boston, but I know the Red Sox, and I know the tradition that they have. To be associated with them is quite an honor.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports