What they said: Chris Kirk

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Q. Chris, great playing so far. You are going to go into the final round with the lead, can you just talk to us about the round today and what you are looking forward to tomorrow?

CHRIS KIRK: Yes, it was a great back 9 today. I played solid golf on the front. I didn't make as many putts. Then I had a nice little run there, four birdies in a row on the back 9 and got some good putts to go in.

Q. Is this an easy course?

CHRIS KIRK: Relative to a lot of the courses that we play on TOUR, which are very, very difficult, it's a little bit easier. I would never call it easy. The conditions, there hadn't been a whole lot of wind and the greens are just absolutely perfect. If you hit a good putt on line it's going to go in.

Q. What makes it easier?

CHRIS KIRK: The greens are softer, and like I said, we haven't had any wind at all. I think the conditions are really why you are seeing such low scores. With not much wind and the greens being soft you don't have to worry about a bounce or anything like that. And like I said, the greens are rolling absolutely perfect so you are hitting good putts. Good putts are going to go in.

Q. You have one of the best scores so far for the day, can you talk about the play and maybe the kind of momentum that you have?

CHRIS KIRK: Yes, I mean eight birdies and no bogeys, that's a good round. Like I said, it was a pretty solid all day, but just got on a good run on the back 9, that's why I was able to shoot as low as I did.

Q. There is a lot of low scores out here like you are saying, is it almost tough not to put too much pressure on yourself just about every hole because you know other guys are shooting eight or nine under?

CHRIS KIRK: It's different. It's definitely a different mentality. It's funny being out there, I would look up at the scoreboard and once I would be tied for 6th and make 2 pars and I'm tied for 10th. If you make 2 pars in a row you are moving backwards.

But in another sense it makes it a little bit easier, I guess, because I may be in the lead right now, but if I don't go make a bunch of more birdies tomorrow I'm not going to be in the lead for long.

It takes a little bit of the pressure off of you. You know you have to stay aggressive. You know you can't just sort of play for par and go on. That's not going to work.

Q. You have been one of the more successful rookies on TOUR this year, what do you think has allowed you to have that?

CHRIS KIRK: I just kind of managed to keep my momentum from last year. I had a great year last year and played well all year and just kind of kept that going. You see so many guys come off the Nationwide Tour and have success out here. You know if you played well out there you can do it out here.

Q. Give me your history of Mississippi, what do you know, is this your first time?

CHRIS KIRK: No, The Viking Classic 2007 was my first event as a professional. I turned pro shortly before it and Randy was nice enough to give me a sponsor exemption, so I haven't been back since then. But it's nice to be back and remember that a long, long time ago when I turned pro a few years ago.

Q. How about the weather

CHRIS KIRK: The weather is like it is at my house. I live in South Georgia. So I understand this is just the way it is this time of year.

Q. Thank you.