HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 22, 2022

Derek Lowe

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, welcome Derek Lowe to the interview area. So great job today. How has this cold and rainy weather affected your play on the course?

DEREK LOWE: I think it's -- we don't often play in it. So I think it's not that I'm the most mentally strong guy in the world, but you can't let it bother you. It rained a little bit for four holes. Not that hard.

We all knew it was going to be cold. The forecast has been such for a long time. Obviously I didn't pack well. I love Lake Nona because everything I'm wearing, and hat, is from Lake Nona.

But what a great day for me selfishly getting to play with Nelly and Annika, two of the best. It was just a tremendous day.

Q. Yeah, and what's your key to keeping so consistent the past few days?

DEREK LOWE: Trying to hit as many fairways as possible. The rough is extremely tough. Just I been really trying to have fun.

To get invited to these things is such an honor. This is probably my sixth time playing in this event, and in the recent years you'd try a little bit too hard, and now I'm just trying to enjoy it.

That's basically our game plan.

Q. Speaking of you go to so many of these events, what makes these LPGA tournaments and events so much fun to be a part of, especially for the fans as well?

DEREK LOWE: Well, you're seeing the best players in the world. I don't think people understand how good they are until you get inside the ropes, watch the quality of the shots.

I've been very fortunate, have been for three days, to play with Nelly Korda. She outdrove me probably 90% of the time. They don't understand the talent. Watching Annika today, it's just a true honor to play, and people need to come watch them play because they are extremely talented and great.

Q. And how do you feel going up against an LPGA Hall of Famer, Annika, tomorrow on her home course?

DEREK LOWE: Yeah, not great right now. If you watched her play the last five holes she was hitting some phenomenal shots. Again, to stand next to her, how many people really get an opportunity to stand next to Annika Sorenstam and watch her play?

So I don't know what the pairings are, and if I'm with her I would love it; if not, going to try to beat her.

But I don't think she has an advantage. I know it's her home course, but just a great player.

Q. Was this the first time you had played with Annika?

DEREK LOWE: Yes, first time.

Q. You've played with Nelly all week.

DEREK LOWE: Yeah.

Q. What about Annika stood out to you?

DEREK LOWE: Oh, ball striking clearly. You know, she hit some amazing woods into the last four holes; I can be honest with you, I was so nervous on the first tee. I knew Annika would have a big contingent ever fans here, Nelly always does, and I was extremely nervous on that first tee. So it was probably the best shot I hit maybe all week.

Q. Do you pick Annika's brain as much as you try to pick Nelly's?

DEREK LOWE: Having not really known her you kind of judge your conversations on how she is. I don't know if she's a talker or a nontalker. She was great. It was constant conversation about not necessarily golf shots, but just life in general.

Again, if I'm lucky enough to play with her again tomorrow, it'll be a great time.

Q. You played with Nelly all week. What did you see from her today that was different with the conditions being different?

DEREK LOWE: I think the conditions. I've got know her a little bit. She hates being cold. She told me this a couple days ago. She said, Derek, I hate being cold. It is a battle of constantly jackets on, jackets on.

I didn't necessarily see anything different. I'm just amazed at how many times she hits it pin high, and I'll be rooting for her tomorrow.