What they said: Ken Duke

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Q. Good birdie on 18. What was the key to today's round?

KEN DUKE: Just hit it in a good spot and kept the putter going, got good speed on the greens, and that's what it's all about. Woody and Tim struggled a little bit on the greens because they're so fast and you've got to have the right speed. I just kind of hit it, and the hole looked big.

Q. We were out on 17, but I know the winds can play havoc on that. What happened there?

KEN DUKE: I wish I could blame it on the wind. I just hit a straight bad shot. It's a perfect little cut driver for me and just pushed it into the water.

Q. Hit it in the water off the tee?

KEN DUKE: Hit it in the water off the tee and then missed club on the second shot and hit it over because you don't want to be short again. Ended up making a good fix, made a good putt for a 6.

Q. Playing on the sponsor's exemption. Just talk about that experience and what it means. You've played in a million events, but when you're on the sponsor's exemption, how much more important is it?

KEN DUKE: It's very important. It's just great to give back. I grew up in Arkansas, and from Arkansas. So being here is kind of like home to me, you know. And Randy stepped out there and gave me a spot, like to give to a few other guys. You always try to support all the summer directors and do the junior clinics and just do the Pro Ams, and Randy remembered that. I really appreciate that.

Q. Just one round, but how good do you feel about your game and for the rest of the week?

KEN DUKE: I feel good. I struggled early getting off to a good start. I felt like today I was ready. I had a week off last week. Had my fund raiser in Arkansas and put down the club until Monday. I felt fresh. Sometimes that rest helps you.

Q. Everybody is talking about the golf course, wind, no rain. What's it going to play like the next few days, do you think?

KEN DUKE: I hope I'm sitting here talking to you on Sunday about it. The greens are good and fast. The fairways are not that bad, but the greens are getting faster. The four- and five-foot putts is what you've got to watch. It can get really speedy.

Q. Just talk about the string of birdies.

KEN DUKE: Again, I hit it in the right spot. The putter felt good. I even hit a really good putt on 15 I thought I made. After I made the one on 16, I said, well, I can birdie the next two. I think I can. When you get in that mindset, you feel like you can nothing's in your way, and you just keep going.

Q. Congratulations.

KEN DUKE: Thank you, guys.

Transcripts by ASAP Sports.