What they said: Bubba Watson

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Q. Well, 10 under par. Let me ask you this, Bubba. You just want to keep playing number 11? Play that one over and over again?

BUBBA WATSON: Yeah, that one was good for me. I hit two good shots. The second shot in there. The fairway and tee shot was a little scary for me but it worked out today.

Q. You can say scary with a little grin on your face because I don't think there is a tee shot out there that scares you very much. But tell me about this golf course. You played it in three different wind directions.

BUBBA WATSON: Yeah, it's tricky. You're not sure what the wind's doing on some holes. You've got tough tee shots out there. You have a lot of water you've got to watch out for.

So you're always watching and trying to see what's going on to figure out how to play the holes.

Q. Me and John were making a little fun of you earlier today because you said originally this is a golf course that you said doesn't really fit my eye. But somebody told you you better come over here and play, and you've got to do what mama tells you, right?

BUBBA WATSON: Yeah, mom knows best. Mom knew I was going to play pretty good the first two rounds. We've got two more to go, but she's right so far.

Q. After yesterday shooting 6-under par, when you left the golf course did she tell you, I told you so?

BUBBA WATSON: No, she said she was tired from walking in the heat. No, she didn't say anything like that.

Q. (Can you talk about your play today?)

BUBBA WATSON: The wind picked up so it made it a little bit tougher. I just made a lot of pars. I made one bogey and then I birdied number 7 coming down the stretch. And then just parred out and got it to 10-under where I wanted to be.

Q. You said yesterday this course really doesn't suit your eye, but has anything changed mentally or mechanically to force you to get to 10-under?

BUBBA WATSON: No. I just made some putts. That was it. There were a lot of tough tee shots for me. A lot of times the water's on the left for me being left-handed. So when I look up at the target, there is always water glaring at my face.

For me, it's daunting. It's tough. It's hard to overcome, but somehow I'm overcoming it right now.

Q. Headed into the weekend on the first page of the leaderboard. Does that change your mentality or strategy heading into the weekend?

BUBBA WATSON: No. If I could play the same the next two days, I have a great shot at winning.

Q. I guess if you could, can you talk about being in contention going into the weekend and why you are there?

BUBBA WATSON: It's fun. This is what we strive to do. We always want the pressure. We always want the nerves, want the butterflies. We're trying to win golf tournaments.

I've gotten lucky enough to win two so far. Trying to go for my third win. So it would be nice to pull it off here in New Orleans close to my house. About two and a half hours away from where I grew up.

I've just putted really well. Hit a lot of good tee shots and stayed out of the water as much as possible. So far, so good.

Q. As probably the biggest gallery today, do you relish the role of being the local person that people are going to follow because you are from the Gulf Coast? And I know New Orleans is a colorful city, and you've had some colorful moments here playing in the Pro-Am. Do you like the fact that the fans really kind of embrace you here?

BUBBA WATSON: No, it's great. Any time you have fans, it means you're doing something right. Hopefully I can play good and not embarrass myself in front of this crowd. So far, so good.

Any time you have a big crowd like that, you love it. It means you've done something. You've impressed somebody that they want to come out and watch you beat a ball around for 18 holes.

Q. Noticeable difference today in the course?

BUBBA WATSON: Some trickier pins on the back side there. You know, there are a few pins out there in on the front. There are a few pins out there that with this wind picking up, it makes it harder to get to. It makes the hole a little longer. Some tough pins. Just trying to stay away from the bogeys as much as possible. Just makes you play it a little safer today.