HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

January 29, 2023

Angel Hidalgo

Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. A 69, and looked like the most enjoyable 69 I've seen anybody have. How much fun was it today?

ANGEL HIDALGO: It was amazing. Ian is one of my idols since I was a kid. Playing with him, I was really, really scared. My caddie asked me after the driver on the first tee, he said, "Which was the most difficult, this one or the Valderrama on Sunday."

I said, "Maybe this one."

But yeah, I started talking with him on the second hole and with Lucas, too, and it was a really relaxed match, all I need, honestly, today. Yes, it was really fun.

Q. You'll have grown up watching the likes of Tiger and he would be a hero of yours but watching you today from your putter style to your celebration chipping in, it looked very Seve-esque.

ANGEL HIDALGO: Well, his son is one of my best friends, Javier. So I was really motivated playing with Ian. So everything, yeah, I don't know, that's me. I do feel all the moments, so that moments when I chip in, I was with a little bit of pressure because I do a bad chip on the 8th with a similar one and I made bogey. So in that moment, I like a little push, yeah, was amazing.

Q. Tell us about your putting style, because I don't think I've seen one like that since I've watched the likes of Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus. It's old-fashioned.

ANGEL HIDALGO: Yeah, absolutely, everyone ask me about Jack Nicklaus style. But yeah, since I was a kid, I read really good the lines in the top of the ball. So that's why maybe I'm closer to the ball and, I don't know, since I'm a kid, I putted like that. Now it's working again.

Q. It's a massive week on the calendar and you found yourself in a great position. I know Rory is currently four shots ahead but anything can happen. How do you approach tomorrow?

ANGEL HIDALGO: Well, it's Rory. He's the No. 1 in the world right now. It's really difficult because I need to play my best golf tomorrow and he need to play really bad, I think.

But yeah, you never know. If I feel same confidence like today, I can go really low, and yeah, you never know what can happen on the last nine on Sunday. We try.