RBC CANADIAN OPEN

June 6, 2025

Cameron Champ

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course)

Quick Quotes

Q. Cameron, bogey-free through 36 holes. That's pretty good playing. You must be happy to be in this position right now. Let's talk about that round a little bit.

CAMERON CHAMP: Yeah, the round today, definitely didn't hit it my best compared to yesterday. Yesterday felt pretty easy, pretty easy flowing. Today kind of hit a couple squirrelly iron shots.

Again, I feel like my game plan and how I was approaching the holes -- playing to the right sides, moving the ball to the hole, again, not trying to hit the perfect straight ball all the time -- is kind of working out. I'm very proud of myself for that.

The couple up-and-downs were huge. The big putt on, I think I made a 15-footer on 7 for par that just kept it going. Made a good up-and-down on 17 as well.

Like I said, just kind of stayed even keel, just kind of played my game, and it's nice to see it come together.

Q. When commitments closed on Friday, you were an 8th alternate. Did you think at that point you would be in the tournament, and knowing that qualifying was going on, a lot of guys might withdraw? What was your mindset at that point?

CAMERON CHAMP: I definitely didn't think I was getting in, especially 8. I know the deadline, some guys will withdraw over the weekend, something like that, but 8, I was like, yeah, probably not getting in.

Luckily I actually brought my passport. I don't know why I brought it. I was like you know, I'm just going to bring it in case for whatever reason, not even thinking about the tournament. So it all worked out nicely.

Q. You're obviously thinking ahead and well prepared, obviously well prepared coming into this week. What have you been doing to help you get into this position today?

CAMERON CHAMP: Like you said, the last couple years for me, it's mostly been off the course stuff. It's been a little rough for me to even be out here. I just finally kind of accepted that and finally got some help and slowly working towards that, which has been nice.

Again, for me it's just a refresher to kind of be free in a sense, to feel somewhat of a freedom. I could care less what I shoot. Really, like I said, going through all this and looking back, the result is really not what was bugging me.

These last two days was just a nice -- not sigh of relief, but it was just a joy for me to be able to play like that. I know it's there. I just have to get out of my own way and keep progressing.

Q. You said you're dealing mostly with off the course stuff, but let's talk about on the course. How challenging has it been for you with your schedule, your situation that you're in, bouncing back and forth between Tours, not knowing whether you're going to get in? How do you manage that?

CAMERON CHAMP: It's definitely ups and downs with that, like you said, not knowing this week and getting a call last minute, rushing here, we got in at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, Wednesday morning. It's been a challenge and really just a challenge to take advantage of the opportunities when I get them.

That's just the position I'm in. That's really all I can do. It's been a grind. It's been a mental battle, that's for sure, going back and forth and having limited starts. For me now, it's just more so kind of embracing it, embracing the situation I'm in and just try to take advantage of every opportunity I can.

Q. Just on course conditions out there today, how have things evolved? Has the course continued firming up? Is it similar to what it was yesterday? How is it out there today?

CAMERON CHAMP: It's firmed up a little bit, but fairly similar to yesterday. The fairways I feel like were firming up a little bit. The greens slightly, but pretty close to how they were yesterday. They were kind of sticking, not really skipping versus, when I was out here Wednesday, I saw guys skipping sand wedges a couple paces.

But with no rain this weekend, I'm sure it will firm out and be a completely different golf course.

Q. You've always been known as a long hitter when you came in on Tour. What do you feel has been the biggest improvement in one aspect of your game over the last few years that you've really worked on and are proud of?

CAMERON CHAMP: I think putting is one. I think even last year, even though I didn't keep my card, I putted very well statistically. I think that was one. And mainly just inside 12 feet, that's really all I care about. I would say there.

Then definitely iron play because I've always been very, very good 6-iron and up, obviously being a long guy. But just being a little more consistent with my 8-iron down. For me, that's just hitting shots and not trying to be so perfect. For me, I just -- when I'm struggling, I try to hit the perfect shot all the time versus just kind of messing with it.

Like today the ground is very soft here, and the way I come into the ball, I'm just going to take big divots. At that point, I'm going to embrace it. It's a little wet, so I put it back a little bit and try to trap it. That's what I've been doing all week, and it's working.

Q. Was there a shot that stood out to you today, a highlight or a shot that you were most happy with?

CAMERON CHAMP: Actually, I would say 11 at 7:00 in the morning, that was probably the hardest tee shot. 212 cold and went off to the right and you have nowhere to land it with a 5-iron. For me, I knew that was one you just have to clutch up and hit a shot because you have no room to miss there. I would say for me that hole definitely today.

Q. You're second off this morning, very early start. You mentioned the 3:00 a.m. wakeup call. Looks like you're going to be in one of the last groups tomorrow. How is that adjustment? How do you fill your time from now?

CAMERON CHAMP: I'm definitely going to take a nap in an hour or two. I'm playing well. I don't need to tinker with anything or mess with anything. I might hit some cool-down stuff or stuff like that. I'm mainly going to get rest, hang out, relax, and get ready for tomorrow.