PIF SAUDI INTERNATIONAL POWERED BY SOFTBANK INVESTMENT ADVISERS

February 5, 2022

Harold Varner

Royal Greens Golf and Country Club

Quick Quotes

HAROLD VARNER III: Just hanging in there. Really good pins today on 11, 12. So I just did a good job of just slowing down and just doing my job. I love competing. I mean, it's the greatest thing in life is competing and just working at it.

Q. What's the hardest important aspect of the game?

HAROLD VARNER III: Slowing down. I think it's easy to start rushing, you know, it's my turn to hit. Just slow down and do your job. Obviously, the wind picked up on the back nine, so it was just super hard.

Q. Anything that stuck out, like a 7-iron from 100 yards?

HAROLD VARNER III: No, the only thing that stuck out was when I got the ruling on whatever hole it was. It was good. It was just like good for me to get a little pissed off and just focus on what we're trying to do?

Q. What happened there?

HAROLD VARNER III: It was just in a tire rut, and I didn't know it was up to the discretion of the rules official if it's good, bad, or -- I thought either it's in a tire mark or it's not in a tire mark. So you learn something new every day.

Q. What was the result?

HAROLD VARNER III: I couldn't get relief. That doesn't bother me. I just didn't know it was rules official's discretion. I'm always going to ask.

I learned a lot today. I didn't know, if you were standing in ground and repair, you get relief. That's a new one too. So you learn something new every day. Got a great opportunity tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to it.

Q. Can you just talk to us about the eagle on the 4th. That was from another (indiscernible).

HAROLD VARNER III: Yeah, that was good. Yeah, it happened quick. Yeah, it was just a good rebound. I hit a really good drive, and you're just trying to make birdie and lucked up and hit the pin. I don't think it was going too fast, but I'll take them wherever they come.

Q. Must have been, what, 60 feet?

HAROLD VARNER III: That's for you to figure out. I don't know. I just know it went in, and I got to play another hole.

Q. What was the second shot on 15?

HAROLD VARNER III: I got super lucky because Cam did a really good job and it went in the water, and I pulled my drive. I didn't even know you could hit it in the water, and it caught the rough. I had a great number, and it was just -- obviously, the shot turned out way better, but I was just trying to get it between the water and the bunkers. I just wanted to make the putt. That would have been awesome.

Q. What did you hit with the second? How far do you estimate?

HAROLD VARNER III: 7-iron. It was 203 front. That's all I knew. We were just trying to get it up in the bunkers, and it was left of the bunkers. We thought it might get up there. When it's playing this hard, you're just trying to have another shot and have a chance.

Q. What about the windy conditions?

HAROLD VARNER III: I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy -- I think that's awesome. That's what it's all about. Life's hard. This is easy (laughter).

Q. Were the conditions like this when you won in Australia?

HAROLD VARNER III: I would say no because the scores were so low, but I remember the last day it was super windy. That's all I remember.

Q. You handled that pretty well?

HAROLD VARNER III: Yeah, we'll see if we can do that again. One day we'll do something good at home.

Q. Where does your demeanor come from on the golf course? Is it your parents?

HAROLD VARNER III: I would say my parents. Just growing up and knowing that it's going to be fine. It's not the end of the world. Just enjoy the fun and what comes along with it. Obviously, it's good and bad. I can take the lumps for sure.

Q. Does it get easier?

HAROLD VARNER III: It shouldn't. It's not. I just don't think it's smart. If we were like going to war and like something went wrong, you can't really think -- it's like why would I do that? It's fun. I really enjoy it. It's hard to be like that. It's golf.

Q. Who coaches you?

HAROLD VARNER III: I see Butch Harmon. He had a little hernia thing, and I couldn't see him. We've exchanged a few texts. The guy that basically taught me to play golf, I saw him before I left. They're obviously on the same wavelength. Don't put this in there, but they're pretty old.

Q. What about Harmon's kid? Have you tapped in to his son?

HAROLD VARNER III: I've tapped him once or twice. He knows if I need him, he's been super supportive. Great family, obviously.

Q. What's your greatest -- when you're playing well, what's your swing thought? When everything's going according to plan.

HAROLD VARNER III: The best swing thought, just see the target and try to make the ball there. If I'm thinking about my swing, I'm not thinking about what I'm trying to accomplish.