HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

January 29, 2023

Victor Perez

Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club

Press Conference

Q. Flawless scorecard from our perspective but how did it feel for you out there?

VICTOR PEREZ: Yeah, it wasn't as clean as probably the scorecard says. I struggled a bit at the start with a good up-and-down on 2, I chipped in on 3. Made some nice putts. Got a bit fortunate out of the rough where the ball ended up in a decent spot where you can never 100 per cent predict, so I was quite happy with that.

Started hitting some better shots on the back nine, and felt like a really good solid round for a Sunday today which leads into tomorrow's final round.

Q. Given you won last week and expectations this week, is it quite difficult to stay present?

VICTOR PEREZ: I think yes and no. I think the good side of it is that you know you're playing well, and the guarantee is better outcome of the week the previous week, so obviously that gives you a lot of confidence.

Probably the downside is that, you know, people might expect you to play well. So you try to have to make the best of both worlds and the best players in the world deal with that every week, so eventually if you want to progress and lead to the top 20, 10, No. 1 in the world, you have to -- you know, Rory is expected to a play great and win almost every week that he tees it up. It's something that you have to learn how to manage rather than expect that it's not a thing, I believe.

Q. One shot off the lead going into tomorrow, how are you feeling? What would it mean to you to go back-to-back?

VICTOR PEREZ: Yeah, it would be incredible to go back-to-back, obviously two Rolex Series Events to start the year, it would be incredible. I think it would be probably the best start in European Tour history or something like that.

Yeah, it would be great. It's going to be a tough battle with some great players and it's going to take a low one probably to get it done tomorrow.