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Team USA

PGA Tour: Scottie Scheffler Reflects on Third Place Finish at The American Express

LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the 14th hole during the final round of The American Express tournament at the Stadium Course at PGA West on January 19, 2020 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

PGA Tour professional Scottie Scheffler recaps just falling short of a victory at the 2020 American Express as well as his hot start to the 2020 season including four top 10 finishes to this point.

PGA Tour: Scottie Scheffler speaks with media after third place finish at The American Express

Q. Great finish. What’s going through your mind? How would you describe today?
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: I’m a little disappointed. I didn’t have my best stuff today. Swing felt pretty loose again and got the best of me early and just put myself too far behind. I still had a chance there at the end and I hit a really good shot on 17 that I thought was going to go a lot closer and just didn’t.

Q. The shot at 16 was pretty close. That was pretty special to pull within one?
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: That was good. It was about time. I felt like I started to play some good golf, just couldn’t really get anything going, hit a few lips, had some good looks and I thought the chip on 15 was going to go in too, that one looked good. I was close all day. I wasn’t too far off, so it definitely gives me some confidence going into next week.

Full Leaderboard: The American Express 2020

Q. You have four top-10s at the start of this ’19-‘ 20 season. That’s pretty impressive.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Thank you. I appreciate it. Top-10s are great. I feel like I’ve been playing pretty consistent. Hoping to get a win soon, though. But you got to stay patient with that It’s not easy to win out here and there’s a reason that the winning percentage isn’t very high, but I’m off to a good start.

Q. You come up a little short today. You fought hard, you had a great attitude out there, and then all of a sudden at the end you actually gave yourself a chance to win. How happy are you with your golf this week?
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Yeah, I feel like I played solid most of the week. My swing felt a little loose, for the most part, but I played great up until today. When the swing feels loose like that it’s tough to play under the heat of competition. Timing has to be so good. Things speed up there towards the end and just wasn’t sharp enough today. And happy for Andrew, he played great and looking forward to next week.

Q. Swing didn’t look real loose on that 5-iron on 16 that went sky high in there close and ended up making an eagle. Talk us through that one.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Yeah, it was pretty good. I had a good number there. It was about 220 pin and just had to carry it onto the front edge. And shot looked good, it was about time, I needed to pull something off if I wanted to have a chance and that was a fun shot.

Q. You had great success on the Korn Ferry last year, you’re off it to a great start you’re rookie year out here, this has to be encouraging for you.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Very encouraging. I’ll take a lot of confidence from this week, just because I feel like I wasn’t swinging my best, but to get around here in 23-under is awesome. I was just coming in this week hoping to shake off some rust and was lucky to play some good golf. So I feel good going into the next few weeks and the rest of the year.

Q. How would you assess how the final round played out today?
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: I struggled for the most part today, my swing felt pretty bad. But I was able to kind of right the ship and start hitting some good shots and still had a chance to win there towards the end. So overall I’m happy with how this week went, a little disappointed in today, but I’m encouraged going forward.

Q. As you’re watching Andrew make bogeys on 13, 14 and 15, at what point were you like, I’m still in this tournament?
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Well I never really felt like I was that far out of it. On a course like this you can make a lot of birdies and there’s some tough holes coming in. So I was just really just waiting for a spark. And I really hit some good shots, nearly made a long putt on 14 I thought was going in, I thought I chipped in on 15, and then eagled 16, and the shot on 17 was actually I thought I stuffed it, I don’t know how it came up that far short but it happens.

Q. So what do you take away from this week? You’ve done so well on the Korn Ferry TOUR, you come out in the fall and you play well, third place finish this week. How much confidence is that building for you?
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Definitely a confidence boost. I was just coming in this week hoping to shake off some rust and was fortunate to play so well and give myself a chance to win. It’s a lot of fun being in contention, so I look forward to hopefully doing it again next week.

January 19, 2020

La Quinta, California

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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Team UK

European Tour: Matthew Fitzpatrick Talks Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and 2020 Season

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 19: Matthew Fitzpatrick of England lines up a putt on the on the eighteenth green during the final round on Day Four of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 19, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

European Tour professional Matthew Fitzpatrick speaks with the media about his hot start to the 2020 season as well as recapping his performance at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in which he finished in a tie for second place with a score of -17 under par.

European Tour: Matthew Fitzpatrick recaps Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Full Leaderboard: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2020

Q. A final round 67 here in Abu Dhabi, and the incredible Rolex Series performances that you bring continue. How do you feel about today’s performance?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: Good, yeah. Apart from one missed putt, wouldn’t take a shot back, and to come off the golf course, that’s a great feeling, despite not enough to win, it’s been a great week.

Q. It’s very rare that we see you not have two great putting days in a row. It looked like after 2,3, and 4 we were going to see one of those days today?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: Yeah, definitely. Front nine I felt like could I hole everything and managed to hole one putt for par, which was nice to keep a bit of momentum going.

Yeah, just on back nine, just couldn’t make a thing. It was just one of those days, but hey, that’s golf. I’m delighted. It’s a great start to the year, and sort of you’re always a little bit nervous when you come into the start of the year after taking so much time off. So to come back and play as well as I felt I have done is a positiv,e.

Q. You took a share of the lead after 4 and I’m sure would you have noticed on the leaderboard Tommy making a run today. At what point did you think things weren’t turning for you after the turn; that you might pull something or stick to the process?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: That Tommy Fleetwood, he’s so annoying. He just comes from everywhere, but yeah, he’s definitely one of those, I have to stick to what I was doing; and he’s probably the most disciplined golfer I’ve ever played with, just picking targets and sticking to them and not even being tempted to be greedy, really.

January 19, 2020

Abu Dhabi, UAE

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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Team USA

LPGA Tour: Lexi Thompson Recaps Her Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions Experience

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Lexi Thompson plays her second shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando on January 19, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

LPGA Tour professional and 11 time winner Lexi Thompson speaks to the media following the conclusion of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions and previews next week’s tournament in her hometown of Boca Raton, Florida.

LPGA Tour: Lexi Thompson speaks to the media following Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

Q. What was today like for you? You’ve had some awesome playing partners the past couple of days. How do you feel about closing out the way you did?
LEXI THOMPSON: Just this week in general is pretty amazing just to be surrounded by some of the best athletes and actors and just celebrities. It’s a very fun week. At the same time, we want to play well, and we’re grinding.

But I played well, good start to the year. Definitely left a lot out there, but it’s a good start. So I’m going to keep it going.

Q. What is something about this round that you’ll take with you going into Boca, around where you’re from?
LEXI THOMPSON: I think overall just taking from this week that my game’s in the right direction. I worked hard in the off-season in making a few changes. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done, but it’s a good start. Just going to try to keep it going.

Q. Is it exciting to be starting a new event there in Boca, to be able to play with a hometown advantage for you?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, it is. Being able to stay in my own bed, I’ve never done that and played in a golf tournament. So it will be different. I’ve only played the golf course twice. So I don’t know it great, but I have a few more practice rounds coming up. It’s a great track. So just looking forward to playing.

January 19, 2020

Lake Buena Vista, Florida

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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Team USA

PGA Tour: Sam Burns Talks After Making First Start at The American Express

HONOLULU, HAWAII - JANUARY 07: Sam Burns of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during practice prior to the Sony Open in Hawaii at the Waialae Country Club on January 07, 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

PGA Tour professional Sam Burns speaks to the media following his first career start at The American Express and setting the course record with a final round 63. Burns finished the tournament -19 par and in a tie for sixth place.

PGA Tour: Sam Burns talks first start at The American Express and record setting final round 63

Q. Last time you saw this course was in the opening round. So how did it play today?
SAM BURNS: Yeah, it’s starting to firm up a little bit out there. The golf course is definitely in really good shape and they do an incredible job each and every year to make this place one of the best greens on TOUR.

Q. You and I were talking off camera about some observations you made about Andrew Landry. What did you see?
SAM BURNS: I’ve played behind him and I just said’s really gritty player and he plays tough. He’s not a guy that you want to try to chase down because he’s not going to give you a whole lot of opportunity.

Full Leaderboard: The American Express 2020

Q. No doubt. Back to you. It’s been a crazy stretch. Come back from injury a few missed cuts, but you also got married last month. Tell us what this ride’s been like?
SAM BURNS: Yeah, it was unfortunate for the injury, but I was able to have some good time at home, focus on some more important things like getting married, so it’s been nice. I’m excited to be playing again. I’m really looking forward to this year. So I’m really excited about the way I played today and can give me some momentum going into next week.

Q. Round of 63. Your low round of the season. It’s going to give you your high finish of the season. Just overall, how pleasing has this week been?
SAM BURNS: It’s been great. I really enjoy coming here every year. It’s hard to beat the weather here and the golf courses are all in really good shape. So, yeah, really good day, just solid all around, was able to roll some putts in there down the stretch.

Q. Give me a sense of how scorable the golf course is out there. This kind of tells its own story, but from your perspective how did it feel out there?
SAM BURNS: Yeah, it is. There’s certain pins you have to be a little bit careful to, but you can be pretty aggressive and I was able to take advantage of that today.

Q. The back nine first. Let’s look into your second nine, the front nine on this closing stretch.
SAM BURNS: Yeah, it was a 4-iron in there, a little cut 4-iron and then the putt. About the first four feet were pretty straight and then it turned a little left at the end. I played it right edge, kind of just got it going down the hill and it went in.

Q. And then, this isn’t a bad way to finish, is it?
SAM BURNS: No, had a great number here, 109 to the hole. I knew I could land it a little bit short of the pin trying to hit a 105-yard shot and it worked out, was able to convert the putt.

Q. Obviously it’s a little short of where the leaders are right now, but what does this do for confidence, belief now moving forward for the rest of the season?
SAM BURNS: Definitely gives me a lot of confidence. I knew this week I had been playing some good golf, just wasn’t able to score. So I knew if I just keep giving myself chances eventually I would be able to get the ball in the hole. So that’s what I was able to do today and hopefully some more of that in the next few weeks.

Q. Spectacular round of golf. Course record 63. Nine birdies, rolling the rock. How much fun was it today?
SAM BURNS: Oh, anytime you have a day like that it’s a blast. I was talking to my caddie this morning, we knew we had been playing good golf all week, just weren’t able to convert and score kind of like we wanted to. And then kind of got off to a good start and then made a good save on 10. Had it just short of the green on 11 and I could have tossed it and got it up-and-down but didn’t get it up-and-down. I think that kind of kick-started my round a little bit. I was able to make some birdies.

Q. Thoughts on your putting because I counted at least three 15-footers, a 17-footer, a 20-footer. Was there something today that just clicked?
SAM BURNS: Yeah, I’ve been consistent the way I’ve been working on my putting and I think — I’ve seen it in practice and it’s starting to show off and now it’s just converting it to the golf course and today the putts were going in.

Q. You started the day 210th in FedExCup points standings, you’re projecting in the 125 area. I know it’s still early in the year but it’s always huge any week you can make a jump like that.
SAM BURNS: Yeah, absolutely. I wasn’t able to play much in the fall and when I did I was still injured and so just kind of it was a weird start to the season. So I was able to go home and get healthy and work on some stuff in my game that I knew I needed to work on and it’s obviously nice to come out here and play like this today.

January 19, 2020

La Quinta, California

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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Team UK

European Tour: Tommy Fleetwood Talks Closing Round 63 at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 19: Tommy Fleetwood of England tees off on the 16th hole during Day 4 of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 19, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

European Tour and PGA Tour professional Tommy Fleetwood speaks to the media about his final round 63 and his 29th birthday. Fleetwood finished the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a final score of -17 under par and in a tie for second place.

European Tour: Tommy Fleetwood revisits closing round 63 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Q. You’re 29 years old today, one more than that number to the turn, 63 to close. Tell us about it.
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: It was good, really good. Felt like the whole week, really, gradually got better. Felt like I struggled on Thursday. Had a really about practice session and played really good Friday when it was really tough conditions. Felt like I played so good yesterday and hit a couple of ropey drives and missed a couple of putts and 5-under was really the worst the could have been and then today just got out and played great, really.

It’s weird, a little disappointed on the last, just got the tee shot way, and even then, the last, the wedge, can’t seem to get it right all these years. But you couldn’t really complain about 63, final day.

Full Leaderboard: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2020

Q. You know how the final few holes are playing. Is 17-under going to be a little shy?
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I don’t want to call it, you never know, but I’m pretty sure. I think Lee obviously looks like he’s playing really, really good, and with sort of — yeah, the way the last four holes played, I think 15 is a nice wind for that pin and it’s always a pretty flat green, and 16, 17, 18, you’re hitting tee shots downwind. Looks like Lee is playing great. I’m happy to have put a weekend’s golf in and it’s a nice start to the year.

Q. Incredible 63 in your final round. You must have felt disheartened that every time you’re making tremendous strides through the field, Lee is making birdies matching yours?
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I think you just concentrate on what you’re doing and every time, every week we play, somebody is going to play great golf and at the moment that’s Lee. I’m very, very happy with my weekend, felt like I played some really good golf.

At the end of the day, golf is very, very difficult and there’s so many top, top players now, I think this week shows the standard when the cut was nearly 2-under and it felt so difficult, and then you always look at the winning score. The winning score is better than what you think it is and to have another good result in these events is great. Just happy with my own performance, and if Lee goes on to do it, then fair play to him.

Q. Is there one part of your game you’re most satisfied about coming back, new tournament, new season?
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I think the week’s been satisfying in a way that I struggled on Thursday, and I think after — I’ve been practicing really well, and Thursday, got out there, didn’t play as well as I wanted to. I said after the round, I think it was good in a sense that the tendencies showed up, I can work on them, come back the next day and try again. As the week progressed, my prep’s been good and my iron play has been brilliant, especially over the weekend, I feel like it’s been as sharp as it has been for the last year and years gone by.

Putted well over the weekend. So the game is progressing. My short game this week, I didn’t make many bogeys; that’s something to be happy with. It’s always the first week of the year, and you never quite know what’s going to turn up, so happy that I performed, happy with how I feel and it was nice getting the juices flowing really, on the last, knowing that I could post a score.

January 19, 2020

Abu Dhabi, UAE

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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Professionals

PGA Tour: Abraham Ancer Speaks With the Media Following Final Round at The 2020 American Express

LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Abraham Ancer of Mexico reacts to his putt on the 18th green during the final round of The American Express tournament at the Stadium Course at PGA West on January 19, 2020 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

PGA Tour professional Abraham Ancer talks to the media following a final round charge with a round of 63. Ancer finished solo second behind winner Andrew Landry with a final score of -24 under par.

PGA Tour: Abraham Ancer Talks late round surge and runner up finish at The 2020 American Express

Q. So first off, what a great round. 63 in the final round. What was working so well for you out there?
ABRAHAM ANCER: I was hitting it. I hit the ball well off the tee, really good iron shots and I started making some good putts. All week, really, I hit the ball great off the tee and iron shots, and in the first three rounds I feel like I didn’t score as low as I should have for how good I hit the ball, but stayed patient and today the putts started to fall in.

Q. At what point did you look up at the leaderboard and realize you might have a real chance at this?
ABRAHAM ANCER: On 17, right before I hit my tee shot I realized I was tied. I thought I was going to be maybe two, three back, and then I looked up. At the beginning of the round, I just said I just need to make as many birdies as I can and try and see what happens. So I wasn’t paying much attention to the leaderboard. And then that’s when I noticed and I was like, all right, well, we got to make two other birdies. I made the putt there on 17, which was big, and then just couldn’t make it happen on 18. But I played good, man. I’m proud of how I played.

Full Leaderboard: The American Express 2020

Q. You’ve been knocking on the door for your first win out here on the PGA TOUR for a couple of tournaments. What do you take away from this week that’s going to help you down the line?
ABRAHAM ANCER: Well, it was good shooting a low round like that when I needed to, shoot a very low one to have a chance. And I knew that and I knew the shots I had to pull off and that just gives me a lot of confidence. Seeing the ball go in a lot, making a lot of birdie, obviously, moving forward definitely gives me confidence.

January 19, 2020

La Quinta, California

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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Team UK

European Tour: Lee Westwood Speaks Following 2020 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Victory

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 19: Lee Westwood of England poses with the trophy after the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 19, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

PGA Tour and European Tour professional Lee Westwood speaks with the media following his 25th European Tour victory and 44th victory overall coming at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

European Tour: Lee Westwood talks to the media following Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

CLARE BODEL: Lee, second Rolex Series win, your 25th European Tour win; 40-something worldwide; you’ve won in four decades —

LEE WESTWOOD: That’s the one.

CLARE BODEL: That’s the one. Pretty good day?

LEE WESTWOOD: Very good. I felt pretty comfortable all week, and not sort of wanting to say how good I felt, I’ve been swinging, but more trying to keep a lid on how good I felt I’ve been putting.

I don’t know why it is, I put in a lot of hard work with Phil Kenyon and I’ve been working with Ben Davis on the psychological part of it, but I really felt quite calm on the greens this week and rolled a lot of good putts. That was the key to winning, really. You’ve got to putt well to win any tournament, but especially these in the desert because the greens are so immaculate, you know that everybody is going to hole their putts.

It was great, and like you say, four different decades. Feel really old when somebody says that, don’t you. Luckily most of you have been here throughout, so I know you’ve all aged, as well. Looking at hair, for starters.

CLARE BODEL: Talking about being one of the more experienced gentlemen on Tour, you said that one of your ambitions now is to make The Ryder Cup Team again. Is that something that’s now at the forefront of your mind, as you beat three young pups who were also amongst it to second place?

Full Leaderboard: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2020

LEE WESTWOOD: It’s not only an ambition, it’s only come to the forefront of my mind, that now I’ve got a chance to make The Ryder Cup Team. I thought I was done in The Ryder Cup to be honest as a player. I’ve played ten, and I really enjoyed watching everybody else suffer in the last one.

You know, now I give myself a chance to play, so yeah, I’ll just play week-in, week-out, just to see. I’m not going to increase my schedule or anything like that. I’m just going to play week-in, week-out and see where that takes me. But I’ll be playing in all the big tournaments again. The World Golf Championships are all on the calendar now and obviously every major, so who knows.

CLARE BODEL: And just a bit about this tournament, a place that you’ve played quite a few times over the years. How special is it to win here in Abu Dhabi?

LEE WESTWOOD: It’s great to win. I’ve played well here in the past. Obviously a couple of years ago, Helen caddied for me, the first time she caddied and we finished Top-10, and the first time I ever came, I finished second I think to Martin Kaymer, tied with Henrik.

So it’s a golf course I’ve always felt like, yeah, it suits me, but you know, just never really quite putted well enough, but this week certainly did. What did I make, four bogeys all week? That’s pretty good golf.

CLARE BODEL: Certainly a good week.

Q. The four decades thing, you’re the first to do that. You think of the names who haven’t done it, Ernie —
LEE WESTWOOD: I can’t see it being five (laughter) but you never know, do you.

Q. How much pride does that give you?
LEE WESTWOOD: It gives me a lot of pride to set new sort of targets for everybody. That’s what sport’s about, isn’t it. I’m surprised I’m the first one to do it.

But you know, I’ve been out here a long time, this is my 28th season. So yeah, I’d like to add a few more to that. But I think it just shows the level I’ve played at for such a long time, longevity in sport is difficult to achieve.

And obviously I kept myself supremely fit a finally tuned athlete over all those years and paying off now. I feel as healthy now as I ever have playing golf. Don’t groan too much when I get out of bed in the morning to put my socks on; you know what that’s like.

I’ve got like a new commitment to the gym. I was in there this morning and I did 40 minutes’ cardio, trying to get a bit of weight off, just so my body functions a bit better in the golf swing.

If I’ve got that kind of drive, then I feel like I can continue to move on like this.

Q. And the tears, you’re not really known for your emotion but they were obviously flowing on the 18th.
LEE WESTWOOD: It’s Tim Barter; every time I talk to him, he makes me want to cry.

No, I think it’s to do with handling my emotions really well on the golf course, and when it’s all over, that’s the time it just releases and I can let myself go. It just happens to be that Tim’s always there (laughing.)

CLARE BODEL: Quickly, hate to tell you, but you’re not the first, but you’re in a very elite group along with Des Smyth and Mark McNulty.

Q. On the Senior Tour or European Tour only?
CLARE BODEL: We’ll work it out.

Q. You’ve talked to us a lot in the last couple of years about just going out there, and there is still a massive competitive drive that is still coursing in your veins.
LEE WESTWOOD: Yeah, Ben has instilled in me the fact that I’m playing the game I love for a living, and I should enjoy it, and sometimes it gets to the point where you don’t enjoy it enough.

You know, we’re lucky to be doing what we’re doing, and a lot of people are far less fortunate. I’ve tried to go out, if things are going wrong, I don’t really lose my temper anymore. I’ve never been a club breaker, but I don’t really get wound up too much. I’ve become much more analytical and less emotional on the golf course.

He’s tried to impart that on me, and I think that’s just spreading through my whole game and my putting everything, and I’m on a very even keel; and if the ball doesn’t go in, the ball doesn’t go in. The only thing I can control are the movement and the actions I’m doing to roll it on line to the hole. It might hit something or I might misread it, but I brush it off and move on to the next, and it’s served me well.

Yeah, that’s kind of the way I’m trying to play it now.

Q. You’ve shown you’re just a big softy, really.
LEE WESTWOOD: Sorry?

Q. You’ve shown you’re a big softy, really.
LEE WESTWOOD: I’ve always known I’ve been a big softy.

Q. Is that why it means more to you, maybe you thought these days were gone? And even before Sun City, because it had been a few years, hadn’t it.
LEE WESTWOOD: I certainly wasn’t playing well enough and hitting the ball well enough and putting well enough to win golf tournaments.

Yeah, ’98, ’99, 2000, ’98 I think I won eight tournaments in one year, and 2000 I won eight tournaments and year and ’99 I won seven or something stupid like that, and they were coming along like taxis, and I didn’t appreciate it enough, I don’t think, and now I appreciate it and I appreciate all the hard work that has to go into it.

I was working hard back then, but winning was coming easy, and I think that’s just because I was a young man and I was rolling with the momentum of it all.

Q. I think Tim mentioned you’re up to 29th in the World Rankings and that gets you in all the majors and WGCs. What’s that mean to qualify so early in the new season and have the assurance of being in those events?
LEE WESTWOOD: Well, you can make a plan, can’t you. You can schedule a little bit better. I was going to play this week, Dubai and Saudi and then I wasn’t sure when I was going to play again. I know I’m going to play at the Honda in Palm Beach Gardens, but I didn’t know whether I would be going into Mexico the week before and I didn’t know whether I would be in the Match Play.

So I probably — well, I’ll definitely go to Mexico and I’ll play the Honda, and then I might try to get a tournament in between then and the Match Play. I’m playing the week before the Masters in Texas; they have been good enough to give me an invite, and then obviously the Masters.

But I won’t play a massive amount more. I’ll still probably only play 24, 25 times a year. That’s just the way I feel like I’ve got to play now to turn up to a tournament and be in the best possible shape to compete.

I think gone are my days of playing 30, 30 events a year. I am 47 in April and body and mind just won’t take that quite as well.

Q. How do you think about Francesco Laporta? I’m an Italian journalist.
LEE WESTWOOD: I was very impressed with his game. He got a couple of brutal breaks out there in bunkers. He got a plug lie on 13, which is probably the worst lie I’ve ever seen in a bunker. And then he plugged it again under the lip on 14.

But yeah, I thought he’ll learn a lot from today I think. He needs to work on his game a little bit, but I think there’s definitely the makings of a tournament winner there.

Lee Westwood Talks Landmark Victory on European Tour

Q. This is a landmark 25th win for you on The European Tour and 44 professional wins. You had an off-season in Thailand and you tested clubs. How are you going to celebrate this now?
LEE WESTWOOD: I didn’t take my clubs to Thailand. I had no intention of playing golf there. I was just there to relax and a lot of sleeping, and I did have a couple of glasses of rosé and a couple of beers.

After Thailand, I decided to do Dry January, which right now seems a massive mistake (laughter) and I’ll do really well to get through tonight without a drink. Everybody’s offering me one, but I’ve held out so far. Normally you’d see me with a glass of champagne or Corona in hand, but I’ve managed not to have a drink so far.

I’ll give you an update tomorrow whether I’m still committed to the cause. But I would like to. I would like to get right through the next two weeks and then we’ll see. I’m trying to lose a bit of weight, so I can’t really drink.

Q. As impressive as your putting was throughout this week, even your driving was outstanding. I thought it was one of the best exhibition of driving from anyone in the field this week. Just talk to us about the driving aspect.
LEE WESTWOOD: I’ll tell you a little story — my driving was very good this week,, but it’s down to the work I’ve done with Robert Rock.

He sent me a text last night and he said, “Don’t tell me that I’ve actually won something that you’ve never won.”

And I said, “Give me a day.” So I can’t wait to text him (laughter). So now he’s not won something I haven’t won. I’ve got my name on there, as well.

But yeah, obviously the key to playing good golf is getting in the fairways, especially on a golf course like this. You know, work the ball right-to-left and left-to-right whenever I wanted to and I hit a lot of fairways. I think I hit the most out of everybody before the final round. Golf courses like this play easier if you can play from the fairway.

Lee Westwood previews next week’s Dubai Desert Classic

Q. Next week, Dubai Desert Classic, is now the only tournament in the UAE that you have not won. You’ve even won The Race to Dubai. It’s like the UAE quadruple waiting for you to happen over there. How are you looking forward to that now?
LEE WESTWOOD: I’m just looking forward to Dubai Desert Classic, anyway, because I think it’s one of the best tournaments on The European Tour calendar.

I love playing the Emirates Golf Club. Hence, I played well in the past. I finished second a couple of times. A bit unlucky to lose to Miguel in a playoff a few years back.

So I’m looking forward to going back there with some form and you’ll see me on the range tomorrow afternoon working on my swing and preparing properly for Thursday to try and hit that first shot down the fairway and go on from there. Carry the form in from this week.

Q. When you walk on the range next week and all the young guys congratulate you and shake your hand —
LEE WESTWOOD: I’ll have no idea —

Q. What will you say —
LEE WESTWOOD: I’ll have no idea who most of them are. I suddenly realized a few months ago why everyone has their name on their golf bags; it’s for people on me; you walk along there, who is that lad on the range hitting it 330 yards.

I’m always open to people coming and asking questions, yeah.

Q. If you were asked, in a short sentence, what’s the key to winning over four decades?
LEE WESTWOOD: Hard work. Yeah, you’ve got to be dedicated and you’ve got to love it and you’ve got to love practicing. Because there’s no shortcuts. It’s just hard work. You know, when you think about leaving the range in one afternoon, going and sitting by the pool or having a beer or something like that (shaking head) stay on the range another hour.

A few years back, there was Tiger, myself and Vijay were the last three on the range, and it wasn’t a coincidence that the best players are the hardest workers.

Q. Your amazing Ryder Cup career, and then it seemed to end on that jarring note in Hazeltine last time. Just wonder how much you’d relish the chance to put that right in Wisconsin?
LEE WESTWOOD: Yeah, I didn’t really feel that jarred by Hazeltine. You know, I’ve been on losing Ryder Cup teams, and I’ve been on seven winning ones. It’s a big honor to represent Europe in The Ryder Cup.

I was joking when I said, you know, I would love to play another Ryder Cup as long as I’m good enough. I wouldn’t want a pick, but if I qualified, I would definitely play.

So you know, I’ll be trying my hardest, there’s no doubt about that, but you can’t control qualifying for a Ryder Cup Team. You can only control what you do that particular week, and obviously like this week, you win lots of points and it moves you up the list. I’ll just be trying to do the small things right and it will lead on to the big things, like qualifying for The Ryder Cup Team and other things like that.

CLARE BODEL: Thank you, everyone. Congratulations again, Lee.

January 19, 2020

Abu Dhabi, UAE

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Team USA

PGA Tour: Andrew Landry Recaps His 2020 American Express Victory

LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Andrew Landry poses with the trophy on the 18th green during the final round of The American Express tournament at the Stadium Course at PGA West on January 19, 2020 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

PGA Tour professional Andrew Landry speaks with the media following his victory at The American Express, Landry’s second career victory on the PGA Tour.

PGA Tour: Andrew Landry recaps his final round performance at The American Express

Q. Your second PGA TOUR win. It didn’t come easy. It looked like smooth sailing until the 13th hole. You looked so in control but then three bogeys in a row. How did you overcome that?
ANDREW LANDRY: I just, I’ve been swinging it well all week and putting the ball well all week. The putt on, what is it, 15? I don’t know how that ball didn’t go in. And then I hit another great putt on 16 and so I was look, hey, look, I’m stroking the ball really well. I got a little bit closer to my shot on the par-4, 15, on the tee shot, and it kind of flattened the driver out for me and so I was able to get a little bit more extra out of it, and so I had a good swing thoughts coming down the stretch and just got the job done. Made, I mean, I think the biggest shot of the tournament was probably the one on 17.

Q. No argument there. How about the fact that two years ago you lost in a playoff to Jon Rahm. How satisfying is it to get a win on this very golf course?
ANDREW LANDRY: Yeah, for sure. This is a golf course that has suited me very well in the past. And just to look back on some of the things that happened a couple years ago and then now, just to be able to finally get it done. I didn’t want to have to go back into a playoff again and we’re running out of daylight so it’s good to finally get the job done again.

Q. Almost a year ago we were talking, when you were defending your title at Valero, you were saying it almost hurt you to win because then you started doing things differently, things started creeping into your head. What happened after that?
ANDREW LANDRY: I just, honestly, they have still been crept in my head. I’m not doing anything different. I’m just trying to just have fun out there. And the biggest thing is to just believe in myself. I haven’t had a lot of success lately, but it’s bittersweet now.

Full Leaderboard: The American Express 2020

Q. You got your son waiting here. Maybe made you a little bit sick last week. The whole family is the out here. How special is it to share this with them?
ANDREW LANDRY: It’s great. This has been the second time they have been out and just to have them this here to do this again, it’s awesome.

Q. There is a change that you made, by the way, because we were talking about the 3-iron and one of your wedges. How impactful was that?
ANDREW LANDRY: Big. Wedge on 18. That was a number that I was feeling really comfortable with. It was actually, I’ve been hitting that club a little bit further than I normally hit it, so we knew right on the last hole that it was going to be a perfect wedge. And so it was a good shot, hit my line perfectly, struck it nice and went up there close.

Q. What kind of confidence can a win like this give you?
ANDREW LANDRY: Big confidence. I’m still riding the confidence from Valero and Oakmont. So I’m just going to continue doing the same thing that I’ve been doing and just try to get better every single day. If you wake up and try to get better every day, you’re going to be look back at the end of the year, you should be getting better. So I haven’t had a year, but last year — last year was the first year at that I’ve looked back and I’ve been like, hey, look, I didn’t get better at all. So I worked really hard over this off-season. I just got sick right before Hawaii for a weak and it just didn’t work out it. I mean, it definitely showed in Hawaii. I think I shot a pair of couple hockey sticks or something, but it was bad. But just to come out here, get some good weather, get some good practice in and work really hard and it definitely paid off.

Q. That was an awesome fight. Really enjoyed watching it. Two-time PGA TOUR winner. How does that sound, Andrew?
ANDREW LANDRY: It sounds good. Ready to get back to Maui and the Masters, so it’s going to be pretty cool.

Q. How much of a test — look, we were just talking about how it looked like were you in complete control. How much of a test was this part of the middle of the back nine?
ANDREW LANDRY: You know, it was a test, it was a big test because the tee shot there on 13, that’s a tough tee shot. 14 was kind of a hole where it was kind of an in between and I didn’t really want to hit driver, but I was just trying to take the bunker out of play completely and I wanted to have more of a full shot in there. And I pulled my next shot, my second shot into that hole and thank God it didn’t go in that bunker, because that was dead. And then just didn’t really hit the iron shots that I needed right there in that three-hole stretch, and then a bad chip, most likely it was nerves on 16, just a bad club selection, chipping-wise. And then just kind of calmed myself down and said, hey, look, these are two holes that we can go out and get, they suit my game very well, especially 18.

Q. Let’s go to 17 first. We got these in here. On this tee shot, mentally from yourself, thinking you got to step up, there’s pressure from that leaderboard as well right now.
ANDREW LANDRY: For sure. Yeah, I didn’t really pay any attention to the leaderboard until, honestly, hole 18. I looked a little bit — I actually looked up one time on 15 and then Scottie made that eagle there on 16, and I just said, hey, look, we need to make a birdie coming in.

Q. Rickie gave you a good look at the line, didn’t he?
ANDREW LANDRY: Yeah, he did. He asked me if I wanted him to go first and I said yeah, go ahead and I took a little bit of time. And it was a good visual that he just hit one close. And so, but —

Q. What’s this feel like?
ANDREW LANDRY: Great. It’s one of the greatest feelings. This is what we play golf for.

Q. Masters beckons now. Maui. What does this do for you going forward confidence-wise, belief in yourself? We were talking about it just now, validation in you that you can get it done?
ANDREW LANDRY: Yeah, for sure. It’s great because I kind of blew it a little bit there at Oakmont, and that U.S. Open really hurt me, but it also helped me to where I can go out and win a WEB.COM event — or a Korn Ferry event that following year after losing my card and just getting my brains beat in out here. And then winning out there and then, on the Korn Ferry TOUR, and then just having a great season out there and then leading it into a great fall season on the PGA TOUR. And I eventually picked up, you know, I lost in a playoff here that year, and then I picked up a win later on in the season. All those moments help. It’s one of those things that you just keep looking back, and the biggest thing for me is to control my pace, and the more that I can control my pace of walking and the more that I can just try to relax my shoulders, and just small things like that as a player you figure out. And those are some key things for myself that help me get the job done.

Q. Those three straight bogies kind of derailed you a little bit. What’s going through your mind when that’s happening?
ANDREW LANDRY: Just stop the bleeding somehow. I didn’t hit that many bad golf shots. It was a 3-putt — well, it was my first one of the week — just bad speed — and then maybe a poor decision on the next hole for chipping in. And then I hit a great chip on 15 and it just kind of got stabby and stuck in that collar there and didn’t want to get on. If that ball rolls another 2 inches it’s down there by the hole. So I just kept telling myself just keep grinding this out. You don’t want to go into a playoff. You don’t — you had a big cushion and just try to go out and make a birdie on 16, and I didn’t do that. I hit a great putt. And ball position got a little bit farther back on some putts and I moved it up just a tiny bit there on 16 and hit an unbelievable putt, and then I finished it off with the next two.

Q. Clutch tee shot at 17.
ANDREW LANDRY: That was probably the shot of the tournament for me. Just to be able to go over there and, to that right hole location, and just hold one up and hit a good distance and have a 7-, 8-footer to look at. And Rick said, man, I was trying to hit it just a little left of your ball so I could show you the line. Thankfully it went in and kind of made 18 a little bit easier.

Q. Golf’s a funny game. You missed seven of eight cuts to start the season and here you are in the winners circle and you putted out of your mind this week. Isn’t it crazy?
ANDREW LANDRY: It’s crazy. This is the wildest game that you can play. That’s why you just got to keep grinding it out. We all search for these weeks, and the majority of players out here are going to have them, four, five, six times a year and top-10 players are going to have them a little bit more often. So these are the weeks that we search for and we just continue to just play our ball and keep doing what we do, and hopefully they come sooner than later.

January 19, 2020

La Quinta, California

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Team USA

LPGA Tour: Lexi Thompson Talks Return to Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Lexi Thompson plays her shot from the 17th tee during the first round of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando on January 16, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

LPGA professional Lexi Thompson speaks with the media following her opening round -5 about her offseason preparations as well as her 2020 goals.

LPGA: Lexi Tohmpson speaks with the media following opening round of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

Q. (Indiscernible) good playing. I agree. Good ball striking. You seem to be in midseason form.
LEXI THOMPSON: I didn’t take much rest in the off-season. Really seemed like I only had about two weeks off. I took one week fully off, not even touching a club, but that was about it. I slowly got back into it, and I was grinding away.

Q. Do you refresh your goals and aspirations?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I do. Like Olympics being this year, that’s my number one goal. But I go into every tournament wanting to win. That’s the drive I’ve always had. I just want to play consistent golf and keep trying to improve on everything on and off the golf course.

Q. You’ve been out here for a number of years. Do you make changes so that you peak at the right time?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I think overall in the off-season work, it’s a lot of short game work for me, but this off-season was actually a lot of ball striking as well, trying to work on those little swing changes I worked on towards the end going into CME were big changes for me. I think that’s making my ball striking a little bit more consistent now, which will be good for my future.

Q. Lexi, a solid 5 under opening round at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. How good does it feel to get back in competition mode?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, it feels good. It’s a little different of a tournament playing with celebrities, but it’s just an amazing feeling coming back to 2020. This is a great event. It’s a lot of fun. To start off with a nice 5 under start, it’s a good start to the season, just hopefully keep it going.

Full Leaderboard: Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions 2020

Q. Is there something when you can compete with other professional athletes that play at the highest level, just like you do, is there something you pick their brains about when you’re out there with them?
LEXI THOMPSON: Honestly, I just try to respect them and enjoy their presence. This is such a great event for that. I don’t really want to pick their brain because they get that all the time for sure. I want them to go out there and enjoy themselves. I think that’s what this tournament is all about. We want to take it seriously, but at the same time, I want to enjoy being around some of the best athletes that have been in the game or in their sport.

Q. What is it about this course that sets up to your strengths?
LEXI THOMPSON: Overall on this golf course, I can hit a lot of drivers and 3 woods. I can play it pretty aggressively. A good amount of the par 5s, I can reach and go for in two, so I take advantage of that. It’s just in great shape. That’s what we really look forward to in every tournament we go into.

Q. You put a lot of work in in the off-season. What was working well today that you felt like was a direct reflection of that hard work?
LEXI THOMPSON: I think overall having my ball striking being very consistent today. I hit it very solid, committed to my lines a lot out there, and I made some good putts. So a lot of positives to take from today. Just hope I keep it going.

Q. Did Larry pick your brain at all?
LEXI THOMPSON: He asked me like one or two questions, but really not much of anything. We just really had fun out there, enjoying ourselves and saying good shots and just feeding off of each other.

Q. What did you think of his game?
LEXI THOMPSON: I was impressed. He hit a lot of irons off the tee, but he had an amazing short game. I was very impressed. He had great touch around the greens and rolled it very well.

Q. Any theme to this year for you? Anything new to the way you want to approach things?
LEXI THOMPSON: Really I’m just going into this year trying not to get too down on myself and my game. I’ve put in the work in my off weeks, in the off-season, and I’m just going to go into every tournament knowing I put in the work and just letting my game show that I put in the practice. If I struggle and have a bad day, I’m not going to let it get to me. I’m just going to try to have more of a positive outlook on life.

Q. At the end of last year, you talked about your swing and some of your footwork. Have you just built on that? Have you changed anything about that?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I’m doing the same footwork change that I worked on towards the end of last year, just trying to patent it and get it more ingrained in my golf swing. It’s been working pretty well. I feel very confident with it. It’s just a matter of repetition and keep going with it.

Lake Bueno Vista, Florida

January 16, 2020

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Team USA

European Tour: Brooks Koepka Recaps Opening Round 66 At The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 16: Brooks Koepka of The United States tees off on the ninth during Day One of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 16, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

PGA Tour professional and 4 time major champion Brooks Koepka speaks with the media following the opening round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, his first competitive round in nearly three months.

PGA Tour: Brooks Koepka talks first competitive round following knee surgery

Q. Your first competitive round in nearly three months resulted in a bogey-free 66. I imagine it feels good, but tell us from your point of view?
BROOKS KOEPKA: It does. It’s good to be back. Missed the competition obviously. Played really solid. Missed a few putts early if I really want to pick it apart. Drove the ball well. Controlled ball flight and controlled distances really well and that’s what you have to do out here.

Q. What’s your sense of how the golf course played today?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Pretty good. Usually in the afternoon the wind picks up, and you know that going in, so when you have a morning tee time, you have to take advantage of it. I did that today. Hopefully tomorrow the wind stays down a little bit because this golf course into the wind, or with the wind, can be very difficult.

Full Leaderboard: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2020

Q. When we chatted on Tuesday, you said you were particularly targeting an improvement in short game and touch around the greens. 17 from back of the green, horrible lie, very difficult and needed a great touch. How pleased were you with the short game today?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, it was, it was really good. To chip one in there, I wasn’t expecting that, but short game was really good. The strike was really good. I worked hard with Pete in trying to make sure that I know what I’m doing, and understand what I’m doing and can make it repeatable.

Q. A new driver in the bag. How did it feel today?
BROOKS KOEPKA: It works. When they hand it to me and it works; we had a long session on Tuesday trying to figure out — we couldn’t get it quite right but we got it dialed in and it worked, so I’m very pleased with it.

Q. How did the knee feel in competition?
BROOKS KOEPKA: It feels fine. It was a little sore last night. Just did some treatment on it. That’s expected. This is a first week I’ve walked 18 holes and I’ve done it three times already. It’s a little tired.

Q. 66. Your analysis of how today went for you?
BROOKS KOEPKA: I played really solid. Controlled distances. Controlled flights. Controlled spin. Everything that’s exactly what you want to do. Felt good to be back out playing, just feeling the competition again. I’m pretty pleased with it.

Q. We’ve heard from a lot of players leading up to this week how key it is to stay on the fairway, on a day which probably wasn’t your strongest off the tee as far as accuracy. Not a bogey on the card?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, some of these fairways are like 12 yards wide, so I’m not really expecting to hit them. When you put it in the rough — you just have to position. You know where the pins are at. When you know the pins are at, you can kind of play the hole backwards and figure out if you can be aggressive off the tee and hit driver, and then sometimes it pays off to have that lob wedge, even when it’s in the rough, and other times you’ve just got to lay it back. You’ve got to understand the golf course and really how to play it.

Q. You’re often noted and praised for how strong you are and how long off the tee. Your short game has always been impeccable. Do you feel like you don’t get enough credit in that area?
BROOKS KOEPKA: I don’t know. I feel like I’m doing just fine. I’m not really worried. I’m worried about what Pete tells me to do in the short game and that’s about it.

Q. 17, incredible chip and Tommy nearly matched it, and a giggle we didn’t pick up on the feed. What happened?
BROOKS KOEPKA: We were just laughing. My caddie wasn’t exactly helping out. He was too focused on talking and Shane had to face his caddie with Tommy there for a half-second because Bo was in the bunker with Shane. Then I was just grabbing the pin, and Rickie was just — it’s his first week back, put it that way.

Q. The pace of play policy rolled out, this is an area you’ve been outspoken in the past. You must be delighted things are moving in this direction?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, the game is evolving. You see it with the technology and the way the golf courses are build. The rules are starting to change a little bit with it, and I think it’s a good thing. We’re moving forward, moving in the right direction. I’m sure in ten years’ time, there will be a lot more things have changed.

Brooks Koepka speaks on return from injury:

Q. After an injury layoff to come back in that manner must be very satisfying?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, solid. I like the way I’ve played. I’ve kind of known I’ve been hitting it really well, putting it really well for a couple weeks. I think the first day I picked up the club, same thing. Felt like I hadn’t left. I’ve done it for years and years. You don’t forget how to swing the golf club.

Q. When you are in the midst of an injury layoff, do you ever worry that you might not be able to pick it up as quickly when you are able to get back?
BROOKS KOEPKA: No, not really. The only thing is if the injury actually prevents from you swinging the golf club and I wasn’t going to swing a golf club until I knew I was able to do that. I got the green light from everybody to be able to start hitting balls and I did, and it’s fine.

Q. It’s one thing to do it in practice, but then under the gun of competition. To go bogey-free as you did today, and have the moments that you did must be very, very pleasing?
BROOKS KOEPKA: I’m very pleased with how I played today. I’m excited and it will be nice to be able to practice again. I haven’t been able to practice; last year, I just couldn’t practice. It was too painful and wasn’t being able to do the things I wanted to do.

I told my team in the last year, I was just going to really rededicate myself for the next five, six years, and we’ll see where we are. From there, you know, who knows, other things might be a priority.

Q. And physically, how do you feel about your first round in competition back?
BROOKS KOEPKA: I feel fine physically. I’m out of shape but —

Q. You don’t look out of shape.
BROOKS KOEPKA: Well, it takes a little bit to get in golfing shape. You stand on the putting green for 30 minutes and putt and your back starts to ache. Just little things like that. But it will be fine. Only take a couple more weeks.

Q. And you’ve given yourself a great platform for the week.
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, hopefully just keep it the rest of the week.

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Abu Dhabi, UAE

January 16, 2020