MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 7, 2022

Daniel Berger

Quick Quotes

Q. How would you assess your round?

DANIEL BERGER: I played well today. It's tough out there. There's just enough wind to make it challenging to pick clubs. The 18th hole, it's a tough finishing hole. Disappointed to finish like that, but not going to take away from the round that I played today.

Q. What were some of the most difficult parts of the wind out there for you?

DANIEL BERGER: 12 is always challenging. I hit a nice shot in there, 15 feet, and made the putt. When the wind is off the left and I cut the ball, it's always tough to have enough room to start off the left with the big pine trees. Overall it was a good round and a good start to the week.

Q. Still getting in under par with the conditions that are supposed to come tomorrow, what do you feel like you need to do better maybe tomorrow?

DANIEL BERGER: I played solid golf today. If I can continue to do that today and tomorrow and the rest of the week, then I'll be in a great position on the weekend.

Q. Daniel, you played well but finished with a double. Is it more palletable knowing this place is going to be really tough the next couple of days, and there's going to be a lot of double bogeys out there?

DANIEL BERGER: Golf is tough for everyone out here. It doesn't matter. Everyone has to deal with the same conditions, so just go out there and hit as many good shots as can you is and add them up at the end, and hopefully it's lower than everybody else.

Q. How does the course evolve during the day as the went picked up?

DANIEL BERGER: Definitely firmed up towards the end of the round, which I'm expecting tomorrow with no rain in the forecast to continue to do that with the wind. It's going to be tougher, and that's what we look forward to, just playing the toughest golf courses against the best players.

Q. Do you feel like you had somewhat of an advantage going out early today before the wind kicked up and dried out?

DANIEL BERGER: I don't know if I went out too early compared to everything, but I feel like I've played golf in the wind every round for the last ten rounds I've played, so nothing unfamiliar.

Q. Is it your birthday today?

DANIEL BERGER: It is my birthday today. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Q. How are you going to celebrate tonight?

DANIEL BERGER: Probably just with dinner with my parents and early bedtime.

Q. Were there many mud balls out there at all?

DANIEL BERGER: I got a couple. I asked on the first tee if we were playing it up or down, and he was kind of shocked that I even asked the question. It was a lot of water, so it was worth the question, but the course this afternoon dried up phenomenally, and it's in great condition. Look forward to the challenges the next couple of days.

Q. What are you still learning about this golf course? You have played here several times. What are you still learning?

DANIEL BERGER: It's one of the courses that the more you play, the better you get at it, and you can tell by playing with some of the rookies that haven't been here before and they're a little frazzled with certain shots. You really have to be in position on certain shots.

I hit a couple -- like on 11 I hit it long right, and I had to pitch out to the left. There's literally no shot I had. If I would have chipped it on the green, it would have gone in the water. Just little things like that. The more you play it, the better you get at that.

Q. How long have you felt prepared to win this tournament?

DANIEL BERGER: I'm definitely getting better as my career has gone on. I started off strong my rookie year, but yeah, like I said, it's one of those things that the more you play, the better you get at it, and I feel good. I haven't played that many events, so I'm fresh. I look forward to this weekend.

Q. Can you give one example of what you didn't know back then that you know now? Any certain --

DANIEL BERGER: Yeah. Like number 7. If you hit it just left of the pin to the left pin, it runs down that kind of left side, which you don't really see.

Like 9, I did it today, which is kind of a bonehead move, but you hit it one or two short, and it rolls all the way back down the hill. Just little things like that that you got to get used to.

Q. What was the experience like with the crowd, playing so close to Tiger's group?

DANIEL BERGER: I didn't even really notice it. It's good to be a couple of groups ahead. If you are one or two ahead of him, then it's always a struggle with people trying to run up to see him, but it's great to have him back. We're all excited about it.

Q. Does 15 play harder now?

DANIEL BERGER: Yeah, I hit driver, 4-iron, and sand wedge. Yes, it does. It used to be driver, 5-iron. The course is a little soft, obviously, with the rain. The ball is not getting that much roll. It just plays longer. It's just a longer, tougher golf course when it's like this.

Q. When has to happen to be able to go for it?

DANIEL BERGER: You have to hit a really good drive, and it has to be downwind and firm and fast. I don't think I'm going for it this week.