FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 3rd, 2014
Big Break Invitational Interview Transcripts – Final Round, Stroke Play
Big Break Invitational Reynolds Plantation Interview Transcripts
Final Round, Stroke Play
Friday, Oct. 3
Jay Woodson (Champion)
On his initial reaction to winning
“I’m still a little in shock, but I’m super excited. I knew coming into the week that there were going to be great players here and it was going to be a tough test. But I knew what I was capable of doing and I was confident in my abilities and just tried to stay patient and believe in myself. I wanted to just make it from one cut to the next. Just get to the match play [on Thursday] and then just get into the final round [today]. And then I just let things happen from there.
On staying patient on the back nine
“I really just grinded. I hit some crazy shots. I had the most awkward lie on the 12th hole in the rough and I pretty much just topped it and it only went maybe 20 yards. Most people would be totally embarrassed by that, but I’ve hit plenty of bad shots in front of people before and I still made par. So we just tried to stick to our game plan and focus on what we could control and go from there.”
On what the mentality was standing on 18 tee
“To hit it right down the middle. The same game plan that I would have had if I was one shot back or two shots up, just hit it right down the middle. Just do what you do, hit your shot. The hole sets up perfect for me, I hit a little cut and I just aimed at the [camera tower behind the green] and just peeled it off of that and it was perfect.”
On his third shot from the bunker behind the green on the par-5 18th, knowing he likely needed to get up and down to win
“It was a severely downhill lie and I was working against the downhill slope of the bunker next to the green. So I probably had maybe a two foot circle to land the ball and have it end up where it did, and I hit a great shot but I got lucky too.”
On what this win does for his confidence and what his plans are moving forward
“It’s huge for my confidence knowing I can play this well under these conditions and these circumstances. Tony Finau is going to have a great career on the PGA TOUR and Tommy Gainey is already a PGA TOUR winner. So to go head to head against these guys and outlast them for a weeklong tournament is great. They’re great players and I just happened to get them this week. But it definitely helps your confidence a lot and it’s just going to carry forward. And when I started playing golf as a little kid I never played because I wanted to make a lot of money. But, you need to make money to keep playing so this is huge and it allows us to keep going and keep pursuing our dream. I definitely think I’m capable of doing it, so this just gives us a better opportunity.”
On the overall experience this week playing with fellow Big Break alumni in a live tournament setting
“I think the week was phenomenal. This is such an awesome tournament. The course was absolutely perfect. All of the volunteers and everyone at Reynolds Plantation and MetLife have been phenomenal. I would play in this event every year if they let me.”
On if he plans to sit down to talk about this week with his young son when he is a little older
“Hopefully he’ll appreciate how intense it was and how much hard work went into it and the sacrifices that we’ve made to not be as home as much as I want. I’m sure he will understand, I’m sure his mom will make him understand.”
Emily Talley (Runner-Up)
On hitting her tee shot on the par-3 17th hole into the water for an eventual double bogey
“I hit it a little too heavy. Even in mid-air I knew it needed to go. Because I clubbed up too – hit 8-iron this morning and hit 7-iron this afternoon. You know, you live and learn. And coming back with a birdie after that – I will take that. And I knew I needed it for [solo second place] the whole time too. I knew I didn’t want to play Tommy [Gainey] or Tony [Finau] for second place.”
On her overall attitude about her finish and her week
“I’m not bummed with my performance. Obviously I wish 17 maybe had been a little different, but who knows, 18 could have been different too then if you think about it. I’m really happy. This is probably the biggest paycheck I could comprehend. Every hole I’m telling myself ‘worst case scenario you’re walking away with $5,000.’ You know, that’s a mini tour player’s attitude. I don’t even know what I got, but it’s probably a lot and I’m really happy about it. I’m happy about that birdie [on 18], but I’m really happy with that paycheck.”
Tommy Gainey (T3)
On the overall experience this week playing with fellow Big Break alumni in a live tournament setting
“It’s been kind of like a reunion. I got to see some of the players that I’ve never met before. I got to meet them and see what kind of games they have. Reynolds Plantation Great Waters has been over the top unbelievable. The golf course has been unreal. Reynold Plantation and the people have been great. It’s a quality golf course. I think it’s a gem in disguise that nobody knows about that people need to start looking at to bring in another big tournament here.”
On schedule the rest of the year
“I’m flying to California to try and get into the Frys.com event. Then hopefully I’ll get into the [Shriners Hopsljaflf] and we’ll just see how it goes from there.”
Gerina Piller (T5)
On her experience this week
“It’s been great. It’s a lot different from normal play obviously. Stableford was a lot of fun and kind of just the whole elimination process with last man standing, or last woman standing. It’s been an awesome week. They’ve done an incredible job with hospitality, and the course is in phenomenal shape. I know I’ve had a blast, it’s been put on really well.”
On the overall experience this week playing with fellow Big Break alumni in a live tournament setting
“It was nice to not have just a shot or a hole [like on the show]. Just because I think there are a lot of really good players that don’t win Big Break so it’s just nice to see their game as a whole and have them put together a score for 18 holes during the course of a round.”
