BILTMORE CHAMPIONSHIP

September 18, 2026

Ben Kohles

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

Quick Quotes

Q. Ben, another great round; 63 today. If we can get some comments on your play.

BEN KOHLES: Yeah, played great. Got off to a nice start. Like I said earlier, just take advantage of the par-5s and, you know, was fortunate to play those 5-under today, which always helps.

Yeah, really happy with the day. I think might have hit every fairway. Not sure. But just giving myself a lot of opportunities and trying to hit as many greens as possible.

Q. Take us through the opening stretch there with three birdies.

BEN KOHLES: Yeah, number one is pretty gettable. I hit driver and wedge, and, yeah, made a nice 15-footer.

Number two made a good par there. That's playing one of the tougher holes on the course.

And then three is a pretty reachable par-5. You know, got up there just close to the green in two and didn't hit a great chip, but was able to make about a 10-footer.

And then four, hit another good shot in there about 15, 20 feet, and then had a pretty straight putt, so hit another good putt to get off to a nice start.

Yeah, hit a great shot in on eight, 15-, 20-footer for eagle; just missed that one.

Then, yeah, really played great. Hit another great one on 11. Yeah, a little hiccup on 12, but other than that was really happy with the day.

Q. Take us through 12.

BEN KOHLES: Yeah, it is just very tough pin. I was surprised how far my drive got up there. I mean, I know it's kind of hitting on a downslope so you don't know exactly what kind of bounce you're going to get, but I was just trying to land it short and skip it up there because I was pretty close, 60 yards away.

You know, landing on the green I knew I had no chance to hold it. Was going to be 30 feet. Obviously I would have loved to have taken a 30-footer behind it.

Yeah, got a little too cute. I mean, as uphill as the shot was I really didn't need to try to drive it so low and just didn't give it enough energy and walk away with bogey. No biggy, and proud of the way I finished.

Q. You were 4-under on the last four. Take us is through the last two holes, eagle-birdie finish.

BEN KOHLES: Yeah, 17 was playing pretty easy today. They had the tee up 30 yards, it's downhill ten, and then you had just a little bit of helping wind. So just a 9-iron in there for me today. Hit a good shot and was able to make a nice putt.

And then 18 is a little in between clubs and obviously can't really come up short there, so just hit a nice little hold shot with 8-iron and had another good look; made it.

Q. You mentioned it yesterday, just how well you've been playing. Talk about your confidence level again today.

BEN KOHLES: Yeah, like I said, I've been playing a lot of golf as of late, so trying to put a number on it, this is -- I played -- what did I play, 15 out of 16 weeks and had two weeks off. So 15 out of 18, 16 -- so yeah, this is like the 17th out of 20 weeks for me basically.

Luckily, like I said, I've been playing really well. Haven't had to put a lot of time into grinding and practicing with my game. I'm really just focused on rest. That is really what I've been doing well the last four months.

Yeah, like I said, it's nice to be playing well so you don't have to go out there and feel like you got to grind it out. Yeah, just trying to conserve as much energy as possible and happy with where I'm at.

Q. Just one back. Talk about the weekend, what the game plan will be.

BEN KOHLES: Yeah, great chance. I mean, keep putting myself in these positions. That's all I can ask for. We work so hard to get in these spots, so I feel like I've learned a lot the last few months with a couple close calls and getting a win on the Korn Ferry Tour.

So I know I can do it; it's just a matter of going out and doing it. So we'll see what the weekend has in store.

Q. I'm going assume that was your parents.

BEN KOHLES: Yeah.

Q. Are they at a lot of events with you?

BEN KOHLES: No, they live in Cary, probably four hours away, so they drove up this morning.

Q. How special is it to have them here?

BEN KOHLES: Yeah. Yeah, it's great. Always love when they come out. Yeah, it's nice to be playing well and show off a little bit for them.

Q. Any other North Carolina friends?

BEN KOHLES: Might have some buddies come out this weekend. Not sure yet. Have to see. I'm sure they'll be texting me.