MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 6, 2022

Erik Van Rooyen

Quick Quotes

Q. How did it look out there today?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Fantastic. Beautiful, yeah. Obviously a lot of rain overnight. They kind of let it cook, like yesterday was -- or even Monday afternoon was firm and fast. Obviously they were waiting for the rain to come in, but it's in fantastic shape.

Q. Expectations from you?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Well, first time I was here, I had to withdraw due to injury, which was quite disappointing. This time around, I've got my mom and dad here. They're fleeing from South Africa.

Honestly, my game's in fantastic shape, but it's just such a blessing to have them here. So I'm trying to soak it all in. The look on my dad's face when he saw this place for the first time, those kinds of things are priceless, and that's kind of what I'm focusing on.

Q. When was he out for the first time? Was he out today for the first time?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Sunday he was here, and obviously Monday when all the people were here. Honestly, it's been a special week so far.

Q. Did he get in the gift shop?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Oh, yeah, he's been everywhere.

Q. What did he get?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: I know he got a couple of key chains yesterday. We were in the pro shop yesterday. My mom got a few things, got some shirts, some hats. I'm sure there's a few more things that I don't even know about.

Q. From some of the fellow South Africans that have played out here, what's the best piece of advice you've gotten?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Well, I played with Louis yesterday, the few holes that we got in. He's a great one to play with. I just love his vibe, very relaxed about things. That's the way he plays golf. I think the reason he performs so well in majors is because of that. He just never makes mistakes.

So he's been around here many times, and things like he told me, like 14 it's so key to be in the right side of the hole there. Everyone kind of wants to feed it in, but if you get stuck on the left-hand side, you're going to have a long putt coming back, you can't stop it. So just little things like that.

I think he also said, he's like, if you're 1-over, 2-over par, this is not the type of golf course where you can force something. Stick to your game plan. Obviously, we all know how key the par-5s are out here. They're all gettable if you hit good drives.

So don't go and force things. Things like hole 3 can bite you real quick if you don't put the ball in the right spot. That's kind of -- that's what I took from that conversation with him, yeah.

Q. What's the biggest surprise you've seen at Augusta National?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Honestly, no surprises. I've been watching this tournament since I was a kid. Honestly, I've played it quite a few times now where I think the honeymoon phase is kind of gone, even though the first day you arrive it's still -- I think it's still special. It's Augusta National.

Two years ago when I played in November, the first tee shot I played, I played nine holes with Scotty on Monday, and I was not overwhelmed, but there was some emotion involved. Now I'm kind of getting into the flow of like, okay, I know what I'm doing. It's feeling similar to some of the tournaments we play.

Q. I saw you play with Tom Hoge today. Did you get along well?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: I don't know Tom super well. I played with him once or twice on TOUR. Tom is a fantastic guy. I was happy to see him get his first win at Pebble this year. So it was a very enjoyable nine holes.

Q. You've been competitive in majors. How do you like your chances this year?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: I think I love my chances every time I tee it up, and that's the honest truth. It's a golf course that really fits my eye. I love to work the ball both ways. I think this golf course requires that, especially with how important angles are to some of the greens and some of the pins. So being able to work it both ways is a strength, and that's great.

Then I think it comes down, like every week, to making some putts. So yeah.

Q. You guys were playing behind Tiger. What was that like?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Cool. It's awesome to see him back. Look, my back's been sore, nothing like his, but I have a glimpse of what it's like, and then obviously now the accident that he had. I think it's just awesome for me to have him back. I think the golfing world needs him. The fans obviously love it.

Yeah, if you look at his career and what he's achieved, I think anything's possible for a guy like him. So it's great to have him back. Exciting to just kind of be around him.

Q. Do you have a lot of people here with you this week?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: My mom and dad are here. My father-in-law is there in the white shirt. So they're here. Wife, baby girl Valerie. So it's special, it's cool.

Q. Have you stayed in touch with many Minnesota people?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Oh, yeah, we're all still really close. We went on a golfing trip end of last year after the TOUR Championship. We just had a wedding two or three weeks ago, one of my best friends. So we're all still really close.

Q. Are you considering playing in the 3M?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: I'd love to play 3M. It's after the Open Championship this year. I flew back last year, and I probably will this year.