MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 9, 2023

Harold Varner

Quick Quotes

Q. Harold, at the beginning of the week, you said people think you LIV guys suck. After seeing this leaderboard, what should they think now?

HAROLD VARNER III: I haven't really looked, but looking at it right now, yeah, I guess they don't suck. I suck, though. Not today.

Yeah, I think it's good for golf. Don't think about any Tours, just play golf and see how they stack up. Obviously Jon Rahm is playing pretty well.

Q. Talk about Phil, though. You spent a lot of time with him earlier in the week, a bunch of practice rounds, lost to him in a little game at the beginning of the week. Did you see this coming from him?

HAROLD VARNER III: Yes, he took a lot of money off me, and he was playing really well. I told him on No. 9 you're hitting it pretty good for an old man. So it doesn't surprise me.

I think he's been around here a few times. I think that helps out a lot around here. So it doesn't really surprise me, but I would have loved to have been in that group. That would have been awesome.

Q. Why did you think he was so emotional after today?

HAROLD VARNER III: I don't know why he was so emotional. I think he's been through a lot. I'd be pretty emotional too. I think he's done a lot in this last year.

His life's been turned upside down, some his fault, some not, and I think -- I don't know what he's really been through, but from the outside looking in, I'd be pretty emotional as well.

Q. What was your reaction to Tiger withdrawing this morning?

HAROLD VARNER III: I didn't know until I got on the 2nd hole. Yeah, it sucks. I saw yesterday, though, him walking around. Like I said, he's done so much for the game. He's done a lot for me personally. Just once again, it sucks. We want to see him play and play as often as possible. Obviously he wants to be ready to play the majors, I'm sure.

In the position he was in, I think it was smart, in my opinion.

Q. Any thoughts on 13 now that you've played it a couple days? The changes?

HAROLD VARNER III: It played great. I made an eagle, a birdie. I like it. I made a bogey too, though. No, it's good. I think they did a great job putting it up on the front. I played a practice round with D.J. last week. I think he trimmed the trees on the left. Yeah, I think they did a great job setting it up honestly.

Q. You said coming into this week also one of your big goals was top 12. You didn't get that.

HAROLD VARNER III: Did not, no.

Q. Do you kind of wonder maybe if this could be your last time here? S sorry to be so harsh.

HAROLD VARNER III: Yeah, it is. I don't think about it much. Yeah, it could be. It is what it is. I'm all right with it.

Q. Are these major fields --

HAROLD VARNER III: I'll tell you what's the most fun. I had my family. I had my two college teammates and some really good friends. We have a chef, and they come over, and we throw a little get together every night. Haven't done that the a LIV event yet. I really enjoy time with people I really, really care about honestly, and we get to do it.

They're excited. I think they're pretty hammered right now, but those are the things that I really cherish personally.

Q. Where does this week rank then in your golf career?

HAROLD VARNER III: I wish I would have played better, but it's awesome. It's a tournament. The best players played, and I got to play in it. I feel like I'm one of the best players.

Q. Did you bring people here this week knowing this could be your last Masters?

HAROLD VARNER III: No, that would be a piss poor attitude, and I don't have that. No, I did it last year. If I come back next year, I'll do it again.

Q. Why don't you do it with the LIV events?

HAROLD VARNER III: It's hard for the team. We're just getting a feel for it. Last week we all stayed together in Orlando, the whole team. We had 20-some people in the house. I'm sure it will happen, but we'll figure it out.

Q. What's it like rooming with Bubba?

HAROLD VARNER III: Man, he's pretty outgoing. He gets going. We get on some tangents. He's been a great captain, but him and I have been close for a long time.

I like that I can challenge. I think everything's about him, which is like everyone on this course. We've gotten close enough where I can be like I don't really like that. I think a lot of people out here don't have people in their camp that do that.

Q. Do the non-LIV guys ask what it's like? If you tell them, what do you tell them, number one?

HAROLD VARNER III: I tell them I have fun, and most of them know I win. So we don't really talk about it too much. I played with Harris today. We didn't talk about it at all.

Q. You're in the PGA, right?

HAROLD VARNER III: I am.

Q. Do you know much about Oak Hill?

HAROLD VARNER III: I think it's going to be cold in May in New York. That's what I think.

Q. When are you leaving for Australia, next week?

HAROLD VARNER III: I'll leave Sunday, get there Tuesday. I'm pumped. I don't think I've been down since I defended. Obviously it's not in the Gold Coast, but I really enjoy that country.

Q. Hit a casino after the last one.

HAROLD VARNER III: I hope there's another casino there. I'll hit it again.

Q. Great memories down there?

HAROLD VARNER III: Without a doubt.