Q. Really strong performance today; what was going through your head as you were building that lead?
HANLEY LONG: Yeah, the biggest thing is my brother is caddying for me this week, and so he and I had a really good process. We're just following the process and the game plan and executing, and I think the biggest thing is this golf course can be a monster. So just knowing if you have one bad hole it's match play, so just move on to the next with short-term memory like we talked about yesterday.
Has your brother caddied for you a lot in your career?
HANLEY LONG: He's only caddied for me -- this is now his second time, so he caddied for me at the Mid-Am last year and now this year, so I think now that he has a couple of reps under his belt he knows me and my vibe. My dad used to caddie for me but he had to stay home, so he's definitely making the most of it.
Q. What has competitive golf looked like for you these days?
HANLEY LONG: It's completely different than what it used to be. I would say it used to be grinding for multiple hours, six days a week, and working all the time. Now competitive golf is getting out on the golf course and having a couple drinks and listening to music, and when I have a tournament coming up, I'll go to the range once or twice a week if that.
I think it's actually freed me up because there's absolutely no expectation, and it's actually helped me find a love of the game again, which has been one of the best things ever.
Q. No matter what, it's a strong week. You're exempt for the next two years. What are the positives you take out of this?
HANLEY LONG: Yeah, there's so many positive things. I think the biggest thing is this last year has been so difficult from a family standpoint, and so for me to play this well, make it to the end, it's something that has brought us all together, and we've found the joy and the light at the end of the tunnel.
Q. Has your mom been here all week?
HANLEY LONG: She has been here all week. So my grandmother passed away exactly a year ago the first day of the tournament, and then my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, all in the same year. Then she ended up retiring in May, so she had to leave Brae Burn early last year. Now since she's retired, she's like, I can hang out as long as I want.
Definitely a full-circle kind of moment and just super excited to have her here this year.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports