PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

May 20, 2021

Hideki Matsuyama

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We are pleased to be joined by Hideki Matsuyama, who began with a 1-over 73 today. Talk about your play. Were the conditions today similar, different, identical? Compare them to the practice rounds that you played here earlier in the week.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: They did move the tees up a bit today, so it was a little bit different from our practice sessions, but the wind was exactly the same, and so it was -- practicing with the same wind really helped out today.

Q. Everyone is talking about the difference between the front and the back. Did you feel that today, and can you describe what's the main difference?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I didn't really play that well enough to notice a difference between the front and the back today.

Q. These are tough conditions, a tough golf course. It's four days, like a marathon in a way. Do you feel it is like that and that you have three days to do a lot of things?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yeah, like you said, it is a very difficult golf course, and the scores may be even higher later on in the week. So we just have to hang in there and do our best.

Q. How are your energy levels after all the travel, playing last week, the preparation this week and then today?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yeah, actually my energy level is good. I'm really not tired, but my game isn't where it should be. All my focus is on that right now.

Q. I understand you didn't play your best today, but hole 14 and hole 17 today was very tough for a lot of people. There was bogeys, there was double bogeys. How did you play those holes?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yeah, playing the last five holes, four holes in 1-over isn't really that bad, but that three-putt at 18 kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.

Q. This is your first round as a major champion. Anything different there as you approached your first tee, how you felt about who you were and what you've accomplished?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Before becoming a major champion, you're always grinding, pushing, and have never done it before. But since I've done it, like today, it was a little bit easier to play tournament golf.