Sudarshan Yellamaraju is a Canada based golfer, who has been a golf enthusiast since the age of four. He has always been a great fan of Tiger Woods, and as a lefthander, he has drawn inspiration from golfers like Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir. Making his move on the third round of the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, which is being held at the Abaco Golf Club, from January 19 to January 22, Yellamaraju scored a 7-under 65, to rise to the top of the leaderboard at a third day total of 17-under 199. though he played his personal best of 8-under 64 in the second round, after a 2-under 70 on the opening round, Yellamaraju was in great control of the game from the first round itself. 

Here’s an interview with Sudarshan Yellamaraju after he rose to the leaderboard, as he talked about his overall performance, his strategies and his goals as a PGA golfer. 

Q. Sudarshan, 7-under 65 today. I guess kind of take us through your round today and I guess the two highlights with the eagles on the front nine there.
SUDARSHAN YELLAMARAJU: Yeah, I just felt like I was in pretty good control of my game. I didn’t really make too many mistakes. I had a couple short sided mistakes, but I mean, I did pretty well to get up and down. Made some key putts as well. Gave myself a lot of opportunities and then took the chances when I got them when I obviously made the two eagles and obviously whatever, three or four birdies that I had. Yeah, just felt pretty in control with the round.
Q. It’s a really strong 36-hole group here put together, I guess what was going well in the second round and I guess kind of what’s changed in the last couple rounds from the first one?
SUDARSHAN YELLAMARAJU: Just staying patient really. I mean, I know I’m playing — my game is good and I can play well, I just have to stay patient. Kind of started figuring out the greens a little bit better, just rolling it better and getting lines right. Yeah, just nothing much really, just stayed patient.
Q. Second year out here now. What kind of feels, you know, different going into second year compared to, you know, your first out here last year?
SUDARSHAN YELLAMARAJU: Just a little bit of I guess knowing the courses a little bit, that’s one thing. Then just now that I’ve played all the events and kind of know how to pace myself with respect to things on the golf course and outside of the golf course, yeah, just kind of those things really.
Q. I guess end of last year you were kind of coming into Q-School with conditional status to start the year and you improved that with your finish there. I guess where were you kind of at at the end of last year going in through, you know, this kind of Q-School stretch offseason?
SUDARSHAN YELLAMARAJU: Well, obviously I was kind of fortunate to get inside the top-100, at least get some conditional because I didn’t play my best, I didn’t do what I needed to do. I just kind of went to first stage and I was like I have to just treat like I have nothing really, no — I didn’t get guaranteed starts, because there’s no guarantee that I’m going to be — was going to be getting into these events. I was like just got to get to final
stage and get whatever position is required to get the guaranteed starts.
Q. What was kind of the main part of your game you feel like you got to step up from last year to this year?
SUDARSHAN YELLAMARAJU: I don’t think there’s really anything specific, just kept everything — just trying to keep everything consistent and just more in control. Trying to keep my misses smaller. Just kind of mentally just staying balanced. Nothing really, just everything kind of has been better in a way, yeah. At least this week so far, yeah.
Q. And going into final round, you treat it the same as just a normal round? I guess what do you think it will take from your game around this golf course to maybe bring it home or at least put a really solid round together, give yourself a shot?
SUDARSHAN YELLAMARAJU: I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know what the weather’s going to be like tomorrow. I’m just going to go out there and enjoy the round. I’m grateful for the opportunity and yeah, I’m just trying to have a good time. It’s beautiful and that’s all. I’m just happy to be here and just going to enjoy the round really.
Q. Second time out at this golf course, I guess what do you like about it out here?
SUDARSHAN YELLAMARAJU: Well, the views, of course. I wouldn’t say I really liked it last year because I think I shot like 20 over, made the cut and shot 20 over. No, I like the course. You can’t really fake it out here because there’s a lot of undulations in the greens and the fairways and it can get windy, of course. It’s been different wind directions every day this week. Yeah, I think it benefits the person that’s in control with their long game, and the greens are in pretty good shape so you can get some good chances.