Pacific Invitational – Joe Ryan, great round today.
Joe Ryon – Actually it’s Joe RYON.
PI – So it’s not RYAN it’s RYON?
JR – Yeah, I think there are only two families in the states with it spelled like that. It’s Irish and Scottish I think.
PI – Ok, but regardless, you threw out a 68 today, nice round. Let’s talk about that.
JR – Well I hit it close today and really concentrated on my putts. I had some downhill putts today but for the most part I wanted to give myself shots at uphill putts.

PI– Started the day off tied for 26th… here it is five hours later and you’ve jumped ahead to the top ten; holding fast at the ninth spot. Now is that a product of you playing well or is everyone else crumbling?
JR – (laughs) Well the course did play tougher today and it was a little windy early on and here later in the day but I think I just played well. I hit like 16 greens and I just was better today than I was yesterday.
PI – You were three under through four holes…
JR – Yeah, I made three birdies in the opening holes and then made… I think eight pars in a row. So I’m not sure how it held up but I feel like a 68 was pretty good out there today.

PI – I read somewhere once that you never shot in the 80’s your entire sophomore year. True?
JR – Hmm, I dunno! That sounds right though.
PI – You don’t know?! That something that your SID (sports information director) just made up for you?
JR – (laughs) I don’t think so. I think that’s right, cause I only went into the 80’s maybe once or twice last year. I’m a real consistent player. My coach always says I’m 70-75 every day, guaranteed. I’m proud of the fact that I haven’t gone high very much.
PI – Ok, but you can certainly go low too! You’ve got a 64 and a couple of 65’s on the resume there. How do you balance it out and take risks without making mistakes?
JR – It’s certainly a balance. I just try to get in a mindset where I don’t look at being four under and needing birdies but rather just stay aggressive.

PI – Here’s another piece of information I’ve heard about you. True or false? Putting is the strongest part of your game and ball striking is the weakest?
JR – Oh that was all last year, I think that changes a lot for me. I hit 16 greens and every fairway. Sometimes I’ll do that and my putting will just be terrible. I think last year I was automatic from 10 feet and in and then this year that may not be the case.

PI – College-Am Sunday, 18-holes Monday, 18-holes Tuesday and 18-holes Wednesday. How’s the tournament different than your normal “54-18-and-get-outta-town-afterward” routine?
JR – It’s got a lot of positives. It takes a little away from school…
PI – …which I’m sure everyone’s really down about…
JR - …But it’s a great tournament. It’s great to be able to relax and sleep a little later and hit balls afterwards. There isn’t much that this tournament hasn’t thought of and it’s been a long time since we went to a tournament that was run this well.
PI – Glad to hear that, good luck tomorrow Joe.
JR – Thanks.