THE 154TH OPEN

July 17, 2026

Marcus Plunkett

Mixed Zone

Q. How did it go over the last two days?

MARCUS PLUNKETT: I mean, like super cool experience to be out here playing in The Open. It was grindy. I feel like we did a good job grinding out there.

Yeah, I don't know what else to say besides it played tough, and I feel like we made really solid decisions.

Q. That's awesome. It seems like you are going to be on the inside of the cut line right now. The projection is pretty good for 1.

MARCUS PLUNKETT: Please cross your fingers for me, yeah.

Q. I'm curious to ask you like when you were entering this week, what did you think the possibility was that you were going to be playing the weekend?

MARCUS PLUNKETT: I think everyone in the field plans on playing the weekend. My goal was just to commit to my process and stay in a good mental state. I feel like I did a pretty solid job of doing that.

We'll see what the golf gods have in store. Yeah, please keep your fingers crossed for me.

Q. It's looking good. I'm interested to ask about your story with golf is fascinating. You got into the sport relatively late compared to a lot of the people in the fields here. I'm wondering, what do you love about golf? Why do you think it's called out to you so much at this point in your life?

MARCUS PLUNKETT: I grew up playing it as a kid. It's one of the few things that I found that makes me feel alive. When I'm playing competitive golf, especially here at The Open, I am right there in the moment.

I think that's what keeps calling me back to try to get better every day.

Q. Do you hear from your Army buddies at all about your golf career as it's been progressing?

MARCUS PLUNKETT: Yeah, I still stay in contact with quite a few of them. They're a good support system to have for sure.

Q. Do you think you're going to open your phone in a bit to see some text messages and whatnot?

MARCUS PLUNKETT: I've been trying to stay off social media. I've had my phone on do not disturb. Maybe if we do end up making the cut, maybe that Sunday night or that Monday morning, I'll probably have a bunch of texts to send back out.

Q. How has this week compared to what your anticipation was of how it would go?

MARCUS PLUNKETT: Just from like the total experience, like I knew there would be like a high bar, but The Open and the R&A set that bar even higher. Everything's been topnotch. From the course to the facility to the locker room amenities, everything's been 12 out of 10.

Q. Just generally, I wanted to ask you a little bit about your history of service and everything. What is it about your past and your time in the Army, are there components of that experience, I guess, that you carry forward with you into golf?

MARCUS PLUNKETT: Yeah, absolutely. I just think like the decision-making process. I was lucky enough to be around some really high performers while I was in the Army and had guys serve under me that were great, saw counterparts that were great, bosses that were great.

I think the thing that separates a lot of people in the military, if you take out the physical fitness aspect - because everyone needs to be physically fit - is just being able to stay calm under pressure and make sound decisions. That's definitely something I try to carry with me.

Q. Did you ever see yourself playing in a major championship?

MARCUS PLUNKETT: When I got out of the Army and kind of embarked on this journey, like this was the goal for sure. I got out and just wanted to see how far I could take this. Very grateful and very -- just feeling very fortunate and lucky to be in a position like this.

Q. I guess I'm just curious to ask about the rest of the weekend. What are your -- assuming everything breaks well, which, again, it's looking good, what are your hopes and dreams over the next two days?

MARCUS PLUNKETT: I think it's the same thing. Just try to commit to my process and stay in a good mental state, maybe try to back door a good finish or something.