RBC CANADIAN OPEN

June 6, 2025

Richard Lee

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course)

Quick Quotes

Q. Congratulations on a really solid round, near the top of the leaderboard, low Canadian so far. How are you feeling?

RICHARD LEE: I'm feeling great. Just had a perfect scorecard today and just love being out here in front of the Canadian fans. It's been a while.

Q. I was curious, how -- or maybe it doesn't, but are there any differences between a tournament like this or the kind of tournaments you're playing in Asia?

RICHARD LEE: Definitely. It's the PGA TOUR. Any kid out there wants to play out here and perform the way of all the best players out there.

Q. Richard, when was the last time you played in a Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR, Web.com, whatever you want to call it, Q-School over here?

RICHARD LEE: I played last year in a tournament. I just missed it by one.

Q. No, Q-School. When was the last time you tried to play your way onto the PGA TOUR?

RICHARD LEE: I can't even remember. At least 10 years, to be honest.

Q. Is that a product of resources or just being more comfortable in Asia? What went into that decision?

RICHARD LEE: I think it's a little bit of more comfortable out in Asia, living in Asia as well. Just had a kid last year as well. It's going to be kind of tough going back and forth, but hopefully if I go to Q-School this year and make it, we're going to probably make our way out to the U.S.

Q. So that goal hasn't officially died, right?

RICHARD LEE: Yeah, definitely I'm going to Q-School this year. I'm going to sign up.

Q. You had a win earlier this year. How were you feeling about your game coming into this event? Did you feel like you were in a good spot when you were teeing up here?

RICHARD LEE: Last week I just -- actually, it was this week on Monday, I was doing the U.S. Open qualifier, 36 holes in one day. My game was actually trending pretty well, just missed a few putts out there.

I think, if I just got the putter hot this week, I think I would have performed pretty well. The last three years I've been working really hard with my coach, Jack Kim, and it's been working out pretty well.

Q. Your whole group was playing pretty well for the most part today. Kind of seemed like you guys were vibing off each other? How does it feel as a player when everyone in your group is having a great round?

RICHARD LEE: It feels great. Everyone is making putts, hitting great shots, and no one's mad. Everyone's happy. It was great to see.

Q. Just curious, how many family and friends do you have out here this week?

RICHARD LEE: Just along today, I think 10 people came family-wise.

Q. You had a string there, I think, four in a row, four birdies in a row.

RICHARD LEE: Yes.

Q. How was that working for you? How did that feel for you, four in a row?

RICHARD LEE: Actually, my wife was telling me, she was watching the scoreboard yesterday, and if you make three in a row, there's a little fireball next to your name. I was thinking about that all today, and I was like, oh, I want to see a fireball next to my name again. Luckily I made four today, and I think there was a fireball.

Q. What does this environment do for you? Are you familiar with this particular course? What is it about here today?

RICHARD LEE: I was actually born in Richmond Hill, not too far away from here, and moved to Vancouver when I was 1. I honestly like the grass out here, the poa and the bent. It actually matches my shot quality pretty well.

Yeah, I think it's matching pretty well.

Q. Throughout your round I was speaking to your father, Jeff, and your Uncle Ken. The one word they kept coming back to describe you and how they felt about your performance today was proud. How do you feel when that's how they feel about you today?

RICHARD LEE: I didn't even know my dad was here, to be honest. Yeah, I'm sure my dad has a lot of things to say to people about my game, bad and good. Definitely if I just perform the way I did today, I think it would probably make him pretty happy.

Q. Going into the weekend, what will it mean to have them witness you play on Saturday and Sunday here?

RICHARD LEE: Definitely, it's my first PGA cut I made. For them, I think they're already pretty happy for the weekend. If I just play the way I do, I think it will be pretty good.

Q. It's pretty interesting, you mentioned you just grew up in Richmond Hill. Did you know some of the Richmond Hill golfers like Taylor Pendrith?

RICHARD LEE: No, I do not actually. I moved to Vancouver when I was 1. I grew up in Vancouver pretty much.

Q. And what do you think of the great crowd that was here just in general?

RICHARD LEE: It's amazing. I love the Rink Hole. That's a great idea. It's just amazing. I love the atmosphere.