Q. Why do you think you've been able to make such a smooth transition to the TOUR?
ALEX FITZPATRICK: I think having my brother around has been super helpful. I feel like he's been and done everything that I want to do in the game, whether that's Ryder Cup and win majors, so having him being around and me being there for all of that, I felt like I got a really good sense of what it takes and what the atmosphere is like.
And even meeting some of the players before I even came out here was I think super helpful in settling in. I think that definitely played a factor today.
Q. You mentioned you were kind of walking down 18 and said to your caddie, this feels like a dream. How do you manage being like appreciative of how far you've come but also not wanting to realize that and wanting to compete to win this golf tournament?
ALEX FITZPATRICK: Yeah, the one thing that I kind of did a really good job today was embracing everything that's going on. I had so much support out there, which was amazing. Shout out to everyone at Wake Forest. There was so much support.
So embracing that and looking around and seeing how many people were chanting your name was really helpful for me.
Q. How many times did you play this course when you were at Wake Forest?
ALEX FITZPATRICK: I probably played it three, four times. We didn't play an event here, but one of the kids on the team was of member and he was really, really helpful to -- well, I was lucky to be invited to come here and play with him. I've got some close friends who were members here. Yeah, it's a great club. I love being here. Happy to be back.
Q. What was working so well for your putting today?
ALEX FITZPATRICK: I can't say anything in particular. I felt like I read the greens well today, but for whatever reason, I felt like I woke up and was more comfortable than I was the first couple days.
I'm hoping I can wake up tomorrow and be comfortable again. We'll have to see. Nothing different out there I would say.
Q. Can you describe where you were with your game last October and the impact working with Mike Walker has had?
ALEX FITZPATRICK: Yeah, no, he's done an amazing job with my game. I think I kind of went through a process of I kind of didn't really drive the ball very well. Feel like my iron game and short game has always been a strong point of mine, and I felt like my irons weren't great and I wasn't driving the ball well, and that's not a good recipe for playing good golf.
I felt like we've done a really good job of getting a bit for structure in my swing, kind of less moving parts, even though it probably looks like theres loads on the TV. But it definitely feels a bit more solid, and finding a lot more fairways has been super helpful. It means I get more shots at the flag off the fairways.
Q. You and Cam overlapped a year at Wake. What was will relationship like?
ALEX FITZPATRICK: He's great. I have nothing but good things to say about Cam. He kind of really looked after me, him and then there was probably two other seniors. Kyle his caddie, they all looked after me and took my under their wing.
Great people. Cam is an unbelievable golfer. I kind of new that in college, and it was only a matter of time before he came out here and started really playing some great golf.
Yeah, I love him to bits. He's great. Happy to be out here with him.
Q. He said he texted you after India.
ALEX FITZPATRICK: He did, yeah. He sent me a nice text. Again, I didn't think he was thinking he would see me in the next two weeks, but, yeah, he sent me a nice text. Every time he's played well I feel like I've tried to message him as well. Yeah, the feeling is mutual.
Q. How much of your success over the last two weeks is a by-product of just where your game was versus somewhat of maybe the relief or stability of getting your card?
ALEX FITZPATRICK: I definitely think my game -- you know, definitely think you're more comfortable out there when you know that you're not fighting for the card for the year. I definitely think that helps.
I've always felt like my game was in a good space this year. Especially on the DP World Tour I felt like I was playing good golf but not necessarily getting the results.
And then I finished T6 in the Joburg Open and I had a chance -- felt like I had a chance to win in the last four, five holes and didn't do it.
Golf is a funny one. Back of my head I'm thinking I might never get another chance to win. Two weeks later I played India and played solid golf round a really, really hard golf course and happy to come out with a win there.
Having that, coming over that barrier, getting the win on my back, was super helpful in pushing me forward.
Q. Getting a fair amount of, go Alex chants. You brother had to face like USA chants at The Heritage. Is there just a Wake connection?
ALEX FITZPATRICK: I think so, yeah. There was some USA chants out there, again, like Matt said, it is what it is. America, it's what you expect, and there is no bad thing about it. If they weren't chanting for their country I would also be concerned.
Yeah, there is a lot of Wake people out here, which was super cool. Definitely made me feel more at home than other places.
Q. What would it mean to you to win tomorrow?
ALEX FITZPATRICK: It would obviously mean a lot. I feel like over the past six months I've always tried to have the mindset of there is other things in life than golf. You know, I would love to win. I would give a lot to win.
Also if winning doesn't happen tomorrow, I would hope it would happen at some point. As long as I can out and enjoy it that's all I can do.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports