TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 25, 2022

Joaquin Niemann

East Lake Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. How would you assess the round today?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah, it was a great round. After remembering the last two years, I've never seen a good round for myself, so it's nice to see a good round finally and knowing that I'm able to give a score on this course, so yeah, hopefully see a few more of these rounds.

Q. Did you maybe learn a little something about this place over the last few years that you put into play today?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: I think I tried to do everything pretty similar. I think the main thing that we were talking with my team, the last two years that I've been here in East Lake, it's been too much golf. It's been too many weeks. It's been -- I kind of like wasted all my energy for this week, and I think now I feel way more refreshed, and I think, yeah, this is one of the most important weeks of the year, and I want to feel refreshed.

Q. Talk about finishing off with the eagle, just kind of go through the eagle on 18 if you could, please.

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah, it was two great shots. That putt was a bonus. But yeah, it was a nice driver. That driver on 18 always takes some work. I always miss it on the left side I remember last year, and yeah, hit a beautiful driver. Had a great number for my second shot and good putt.

Q. What was your mentality coming into this week? I think you were eight back if I'm not mistaken. What's your mentality as you go into this week knowing that you have a lot to make up in four rounds?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah, there's so much golf left. It's just the first round. Obviously it was a really good round, and yeah, just try to keep doing the same. Obviously if I keep doing like this, it could be a nice week, but yeah, just focus on my shots, on my routine, and just that.

Q. Are you treating this like a normal tournament or are you looking at the board, looking at the scores?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah, it's hard not to see the prize. But yeah, I just try to just golf. You just get a focus on your stuff, and if you just focus on the things that you've got to focus, everything will come out better.

I think right now I know what I have to focus on, and I'm just going to keep doing the same.

Q. What is that?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Can't tell you.

Q. You can't tell me?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: No.

Q. Why?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: My secrets.

Q. What's your best moment in golf this year?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Best moment in golf? I think it was pretty special to see Tiger at the 150th Open. I think that was pretty special.

Q. Coming up 18?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah.

Q. Where were you?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Playing.