What they said: Paul Casey

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CROWNE PLAZA INVITATIONAL: Transcript archive

Q. Paul, the really nice roll just continues, a 66 and a 67, well play today.

PAUL CASEY: Thank you. Yes, this is a great golf course. I wish I would have come here before. It's really good. Guys were saying good things about it and everything is true. And I will admit the legs, a bit of jet lag last week. But playing in good weather like this, great crowds, very supportive on a great golf course, it's really not that difficult to get motivated and shoot some good numbers.

Q. You do know what day it is now, right, you are caught up on what day of the week it is.

PAUL CASEY: Yes.

Q. This is a great fairways and greens kind of course, without any wind, you hit it in a fairway bunker?

PAUL CASEY: Yes, that was my error. I didn't think I can reach that one, 308, and the wind was in. I reached it. It's a mistake. After that, I kind of compounded it. I didn't strike the 6 iron well out of the bunker and put it into another one further up the fairway, and from there it was very, very difficult, 90 yards, not a great lie. I ended up making bogey to keep a long story short. It was my own fault. The bunkers are very, very good. I have no basis to go on. They have done a lot of work. I don't know what the golf course was like before the changes, but it's fantastic. You get a perfect lie every time you are in there. They are deep and fair. If you strike the golf ball well, and keep it there, you are going to be rewarded.

Q. That may be a good thing that you haven't seen it, that you didn't know this course before. You are seeing it clean like this. Who talked you into coming here?

PAUL CASEY: I think a lot of guys. You know, obviously, CBS, Lance Barrow is a producer here. He is a very good friend. He spoke highly of this place and wanted me to come. Lots of other guys. Players spoke very highly of it. As I say, everything is true. What you see around the golf course, the way it's prepared, the way it's presented, is the same as to what's going on in the clubhouse, they look after us in there. Everybody is super friendly, even the caddies, valet parking.

Q. What do you need to do to get the numbers even lower this weekend, anything different? Anything better that you have done so far?

PAUL CASEY: Cut out those mistakes. You can't bogey one. With only 12 par 5's on this golf course, you have to capitalize on the first hole. It is reachable with a good tee shot. Maybe I will go talk to Stricker. He seems to have it figured out. 14 is excellent golf.

Q. That's a record.

PAUL CASEY: Is it really? Well, there you go. Everything is right there. I've got to cut out the mistakes, but really it's not too much more because I hit the golf ball pretty good the last few days, and I got to keep doing what I'm doing.

Q. Keep up the good work.

PAUL CASEY: Thank you.

Q. Well, Paul, it looks like you are continuing your good play?

PAUL CASEY: Yes, that was very enjoyable. The golf course is in just beautiful shape this morning. You know, I needed to take advantage of those good greens. To be honest, I played really good with the exception of the drop shot on the first, which was criminal. It's really my only fault getting stuck in those bunkers down the first. It was really solid. I feel a little wobbly after flying back from the UK last week. But I'm not sure I could get any closer the way Stricker is playing right now. 14 under is very, very impressive.

Q. The magic putter still working well?

PAUL CASEY: Yes, it's pretty good. Everything is fine. I don't feel affected by the jet lag right now with the exception of maybe wobbly legs. I feel really good, and I think the heat and the great golf course and the support out there, it quickly takes your mind off any fatigue and it's an absolutely pleasure to be playing around this golf course.

Q. (Inaudible)?

PAUL CASEY: It's a nice theory. It always doesn't happen in golf. It's a beautiful game. It just creeps up when you're not looking. It's just keeping the focus more than anything, and the hard work, knowing when to rest, that's important, saving the energy. You are going to get out of this sport what you put in. In no way can I relax and take my eye off the ball, I have to continue to work hard and there is a whole bunch of guys. There is two guys in front of me and a whole bunch of guys right behind me.