BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

September 12, 2021

Bernd Wiesberger

Wentworth Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. 11-under par, enough Ryder Cup points to be automatic on the team, what does that mean to you?

BERND WIESBERGER: It was really tough out there today. Trying to do your best and stay away from all the noise but you know it was really a difficult day for me today, unlike the first three days.

At the end of the day I'm really proud to have gotten a round that was obviously good enough to make it into the team automatically, and so relieved, so happy for the work that goes into it. I'm not the youngest anymore, all the guys that helped me get there. It means a lot.

Q. How much confidence and belief do you take into the matches having performed so brilliantly and under so much pressure? Nothing like the pressure of trying to make the team from on the bubble?

BERND WIESBERGER: I have never felt quite like it on a golf course before I've been in a situation where I was playing for tournaments but everybody says this is bigger and it already feels that way. That was really, really hard.

Q. It's been a really strange week, not only playing for the title here but playing for a Ryder Cup place. How were you able to try and keep the mindset clear today to go can do what you did to get yourself not only on that team but to continue what's been a really good four days?

BERND WIESBERGER: Thankfully I've laid the groundwork in the first three days because today was something different. I just said it back there, I've never felt like this on a golf course before. It was very high pressure. Normally when you play for tournament wins, you're excited and you're anxious on the first tee and you kind of improve into it as the round goes on.

Today, I never, never let off and I just had to take deep breaths for every shot and I guess that's what it means to be able to play for a Ryder Cup Team. I mean, I don't think I have to mention, it's been a lifelong goal for me to be part of a European Team and I'm very proud to have just done enough to get into that team and go to Whistling Straits in a couple weeks.

Q. It's been incredible watching names drop off the list and come back on the list. Were you aware of what was going on in terms of The Ryder Cup automatic places?

BERND WIESBERGER: I didn't know -- the guys at the end told me it's good enough that's good enough for me at this point. Obviously I would have loved to get a little bit more stuck into the tournament. There was a lot to play out there today and I'm proud to have stuck with it today when I didn't have my best game, and sometimes it doesn't need to be pretty.

Q. The first Austrian to represent Team Europe in The Ryder Cup. I imagine a huge amount of pride for yourself and family and a lot of excitement looking towards a couple of weeks' time.

BERND WIESBERGER: Yeah, I'm going to spend the next couple hours probably speaking to them before I head back to Vienna.

But yeah, I don't want to say I had pressure from home -- not from home, from Austrian media to be one of the contenders for a spot at some point. I was somewhat close a few times, and yeah, it's nice to hopefully see the headlines tomorrow and see my name being part of that European Team.

Q. Just describe what emotions you went through today.

BERND WIESBERGER: I've been doing this for a long time and I've been in situations where I've played in big events and throughout 18 holes, I've never felt like this, ever. It was quite a roller coaster. Not only from the state of my game today but sometimes you really have to grind it out. I have no idea if at some point I was out of it or what went on. But I just tried to grind on every hole, really, and standing here now making an automatic qualification feels like a big relief. I'm very proud to have achieved that with people not only that work with me right now but from basically when I started my golf.

Q. How were you feeling on the first tee and did you think it would be that emotional on the golf course?

BERND WIESBERGER: First tee was actually the best I've felt all day. It's strange. You know, obviously you get tested out there and you find a diverse situation, and there was a lot of it out there. I just tried to react as quick as I could and tried to not get ahead of myself too much. But obviously head spinning every now and then. You know, I just try to knuckle down and get everything out of the golf that I could.

Q. How are you feeling now, knowing you've sealed your place on The Ryder Cup Team and making your debut in two weeks' time?

BERND WIESBERGER: Yeah, I'm going to probably need a couple days off but I'm going to be as ready as I can for the captain and the team, and I'm really looking forward. It's a big relief and it's an unbelievable week to be part of the European Team. In 2018 in France, I was doing SKY Germany because I had an operation on my arm and it inspired me a lot to be part of this team.

Q. How has Pádraig been in the buildup?

BERND WIESBERGER: It's been good. He stayed in contact and we've had dinners with potential candidates for the team, so there's a bit of bonding. You know that the European players are all -- it's kind of a big family, anyway.

So we all know each other and it's been brilliant so far. I'm really looking forward to be of as much help as I can be on that team. I will put my heart and my sole into that team and deliver in every way possible, and yeah, very proud to be one of Paddy's 12, yeah.