ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 30, 2021

Michael Hoey

Quick Quotes

Q. Pleased with a 65?

MICHAEL HOEY: Yeah, I got lucky with the draw. Armageddon, to think I would have shot 2-over might have been a good score. But I'm playing good.

Q. You've been in some good form on The Challenge Tour, and bogey-free today must be very pleasing, especially the finish, eagle, par, birdie, birdie. Tell us about the eagle on 6?

MICHAEL HOEY: Yeah, just it's funny last week, I haven't holed a shot in two years -- and today -- from the rough. Just got a great bounce and it was just a bit of luck, what you need. Still a little different between The Challenge Tour and this level. If you can play well there -- I know the courses.

Q. It's ten years since you won here and hard to believe that it's ten years. Do you still have the hunger to get back out on The European Tour? Obviously that's the goal this year, get your card back through the challenge you're rankings, or this week, this is another good chance.

MICHAEL HOEY: Yeah, I haven't quite done enough this year. I I got a few events left, but so many good players that you have to be in the top three a lot and I haven't quite done that. But I'm still seeing myself doing well near. I've had a good category and I can still play some European Tour events. This week, you never know. Just trying to one day at a time and nice to speak to some of the media. Haven't spoken to the media for two years. Just shows you're actually playing good.

Q. Last winter you took a part-time job and all the rest, are you still keen to get out there on Tour and play or are you still looking at -- does it all depend on results or what's the situation with the way you're looking at the whole thing?

MICHAEL HOEY: Yeah, Challenge Tour, it's 1,300 a week, Challenge Tour to play, so even though I played quite well this year, you're not coming away with a living, unfortunately. Obviously it's hard to make a living. I'm just feeling like it's a bit of a second chance this year. Probably why I'm playing better because I have a better attitude. I felt like I had retired last year, I had almost officially retired in my mind, pack it in, whatever you call it.

Feel like I've got a second chance this year and it's a bonus, so I've got a better attitude and it's showing on the golf course.

Q. What did you do so well today that added up to that great score?

MICHAEL HOEY: Yeah, I said to the guys, no bogeys, I made so many bogeys over my golf career. I've made a lot of birdies but bogeys have got me. This year, the short game, I'm putting well, and it's been -- it's really the short game this year that I'm playing some better golf. Just happy with that.