Q. Can you just talk about this whole experience, having this event here in Philadelphia?
JUSTIN THOMAS: It was great. It was a lot of fun. The fans were obviously very into it. It was cool.
Man, I don't know if you could characterize this as full blown Northeast, but it's enough for me. I just wish we played more tournaments up here. The golf courses are great. You get an energy in the crowd and just feels -- you know, you have a lot of buzz.
I would love to see us play up in the Northeast more often.
Q. How did you feel about your day overall?
JUSTIN THOMAS: I think it's -- it was a good day. Obviously I gave myself a chance. Starting three back to have a putt on 15 to tie for the lead, I definitely would have taken that at the start of the day.
I'm a little disappointed in myself on 16 for pushing it too much and trying to attack there. I had two really, really good players that were playing really well behind us to where I felt like I needed to.
No, I fought hard, played well, and gave myself a chance, which is what I wanted.
Q. JT, what's your opinion on playing a Signature Event the week before and/or after a major?
JUSTIN THOMAS: I don't know. I'm not sure. I think it can be tough, but it's very specific on the venue.
To be perfectly honest, I think playing the week after the U.S. Open at Oakmont is going to really suck. Oakmont is hard, and it's going to take a lot out of us. That's really different than playing at a place where you're shooting 15-, 20-under, but it is what it is.
We'll all be more than happy to tee it up, and there will be a winner at the end of the week.
Q. You mentioned 16 as an opportunity. Jim Nantz described the putt as a shocking miss. Would you agree with that? Fine lines now?
JUSTIN THOMAS: 15 probably?
Q. Yes.
JUSTIN THOMAS: Yeah, it was a bad putt. It was -- yeah, it wasn't one that I obviously thought I would miss or planned on missing, but I'm choosing to focus on all the other ones I made today than that one.
Q. Did that influence your decision on 16 to go pin hunting?
JUSTIN THOMAS: I definitely was more aggressive because of that. Like I said, I wish I wasn't, but it's easy to say that looking back. It doesn't matter too much. I ended up finishing two behind. Just need those two to go differently. Hopefully they'll just go my way next week.
Q. I spoke to Matt before the round, and he said a donkey that is trained to carry your sticks could still see you play as well. Is that a bit of a disservice for him? It must be great to have him back.
JUSTIN THOMAS: For sure. It was great to. I missed him every step of the way at Augusta and at Hilton Head. It would have been really cool to obviously win with the first week with him back.
No, I know our time is coming. We've just got to keep our head down and keep doing what we're doing and just stay patient.
Q. Your thoughts about the PGA Championship that's going to be played here in Philadelphia next year?
JUSTIN THOMAS: It will be great. Even as locals here know, being a week later, I think it will be even better for the golf course. Hopefully it's a little better than the weather was a little bit this week.
No, it's going to be great. The crowds will be nuts. They'll be very loud and boisterous, and maybe I can do something else between now and then so people can stop yelling cheesesteak at me.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports