MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 6, 2023

Larry Mize

Quick Quotes

Q. First four holes, pretty good.

LARRY MIZE: Yeah, you know, sorry I didn't -- a little weak on the pitch on No. 1, but yeah, first four holes were good. 5 is just a tough hole for me. Let's face it.

Then I did okay on the next few, would like to have a better chance for birdie on 8 than I did.

Then the back, there's a reason this is my last Masters. 10 and 11 is a tough stretch for me. I hit a poor putt -- first putt was poor at 12 to make bogey there, which was disappointing. Then not a very good third shot into 13 because obviously I've got to take advantage of holes like that.

Then 14 was okay. 15 I thought I hit the wedge perfect. Just one of those times I was just a yard or two off and sucked it back into the water.

Q. Did the emotions have any effect on today?

LARRY MIZE: Yeah, I was nervous pretty much the whole day. I mean, just the last --

Q. More so than years past?

LARRY MIZE: Oh, yeah. Last time I played, I haven't played in a tournament in a while. Last time I played, I hadn't played in a tournament in a while. My game is not where I'd like it to be obviously.

Yeah, it just causes the nerves to be a little worse. You're struggling a little bit to hit the shots you want to hit.

Q. A lot of people said at the Champions Dinner they hadn't seen you as emotional.

LARRY MIZE: Let's don't go down that road. This place is just very special to me. To have played here and won here and to be in that room with those guys is very special, and I just couldn't keep it together, yeah.

Q. Looking ahead to tomorrow.

LARRY MIZE: I'm looking forward to it. I'll practice a little today, get some rest. I'm tired. It's a big golf course for me.

But I'll do some work to try to get things a little better and look forward to playing a better round tomorrow.

Q. When did you make the decision that this was going to be it?

LARRY MIZE: You know, when I came here last year, I knew it was going to be last year or this year. I just -- I guess after I played last year, I came up with the decision that this will be my last.

Q. Bonnie and the boys are saying okay?

LARRY MIZE: Yeah, they're behind me. Obviously -- you know, they're behind me 100 percent. I asked them what they think, and they're no help at all. Whatever you want to do.

No, they're very supportive. I'm very blessed to have a great family. They said whatever I want to do. I feel I've got a lot of peace. This is definitely the right time. It's time for me to end my playing career here.

But I'll look forward to coming back every year.

Q. Par 3?

LARRY MIZE: As long as they let the past champions play, I'll play the Par 3, Champions Dinner, and just enjoy being here. Still soaking up this environment. As far as golf goes, this is it for me.

Q. It's still a competition, but are you able to get out there and enjoy it or soak it in a bit more?

LARRY MIZE: I always enjoy playing here. Obviously it's playing very hard for me. Yeah, I always enjoy it. The fans are just phenomenal. They're so kind to me. Some nice comments out there.

It was fun. Tomorrow will be -- kind of be a tough day. I don't know what to expect tomorrow. I don't know where the emotions will be, but it will be a special -- it will be a lot of fun.

Q. What is it in particular you enjoy about the golf here?

LARRY MIZE: As a competitor, you just love getting out there. It's a challenge to get around this golf course at my age, and I enjoy that. I enjoy the challenge of trying to work it around and put it in spots I know I need to put it and get it up and down and take advantage of the holes I can -- the shorter holes, the par-5s and par-3s on 6 and 16 and 12, where I can take advantage of them.

You know, the competitor in you just loves to get out there and compete. I just wish I could compete a little better.

Q. Have you had any special interactions with guys in the field this week since you made the announcement this is going to be your last one?

LARRY MIZE: The guys have been great, from guys in the field to guys that are here, working the broadcast and so forth, and my friends on TOUR. Everybody has been unbelievable. It's been very special.

Q. Did Ben tell you before that he was going to recognize you?

LARRY MIZE: I got a call from Jim -- Jim James, isn't it? He called me to warn me that it was going to happen.

I felt pretty good. I knew it was going to be tough, and I felt pretty good until the time came. Standing in front of all those guys and being in that room, just I couldn't get it out. That's how special it is. To be there for -- well, here for 40 years, but to be in that Champions Dinner for 35 or whatever it is, it's a special night.

It's an amazing group of champions, and to be part of that is surreal, yeah.