WGC DELL TECHNOLOGIES MATCH PLAY

March 24, 2023

Xander Schauffele

Austin Country Club

Press Conference

Q. When you play three rounds, it seemed like they were three difficult rounds, is it almost more taxing than three rounds of stroke play in this situation?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Potentially. Mentally a little bit. It depends how your rounds are going.

Q. How did your round go today?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Yeah, match play is typically awesome because it's a heads up day. Unfortunately, the format, I played a guy who had nothing to lose. On top of it being unfortunate, Tom Hoge, who rattles off 62, is even worse for me.

I knew he was going to be firing at pins. He's a really good iron player. Kind of rolling it with freedom. That's what he did for most of the day.

I got a really good break there on 17 and was able to clean it up on 18.

Q. What did you hit on 17? Could you see the shot?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: I didn't see it bounce. Austin said it hit a rock and kind of came back in. His balls could have gone -- rolled down and not have a shot, but we both got lucky there to be honest. Mine more than his.

I hit 9 iron. I felt like I had too much club, couldn't tell if was more into or more across. Kind of just let up on it and tossed the head down and shut the face. So it wasn't one of my best.

Q. Does it feel good to make it out of pool play and into the round of 16 finally here?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Yeah, it's probably the best I've played for three rounds. I think one other time I played really well. I didn't get through. I finished 2 and 1 and didn't get through.

Yeah, I needed a little help today from Tom there at the end and was able to capitalize there on 18 with a birdie.