HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 19, 2024

Whit Merrifield

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. We have Whit Merrifield with us. You had a pretty good day out there on the course. Currently in fourth place I think in the celebrity field. Can you talk about your day today?

WHIT MERRIFIELD: It was a great day. Got more difficult as the day went on. Wind picked up a little bit. Blast of a day playing with Megan and Kevin.

Just wish I could have hit some better shots. That's why we don't get paid to do it and they do.

Q. Can you talk about this tournament and how it's so unique playing with the LPGA players?

WHIT MERRIFIELD: Yeah, it's super unique playing alongside of them. It's a format to where -- usually when we play in stuff like this it's a team format, but this is a very individual format, which is great, because a lot of these guys here, I know a lot of the athletes here are competitors, super competitive, and this is outside of our comfort zone doing something like this.

So new emotions, new nerves, and just a ton of fun.

Q. Talk about your golf game. Maybe when you started playing and how often you play golf.

WHIT MERRIFIELD: Started playing a little bit when I was young. My dad is a really good golfer. He would take me out some. Then I started playing football, basketball, and baseball once I got to like 11 and 12 and took up all my time.

Picked it back up a little bit after college and then when I got to the big leagues people started asking me to come play all these great courses. It's easy to get the bug once that happens.

Since really about 2016 I've been hooked.

Q. Is this your first time to Lake Nona?

WHIT MERRIFIELD: First time to Lake Nona, yes, it is. Beautiful, beautiful place. Just an incredible golf course and what a great event this is.