THE G4D OPEN

May 9, 2023

Lachlan Wood

Mixed Zone

Q. Could you stay who you are, where you come from, club, etc.?

LACHLAN WOOD: I'm Lachlan Wood. I come from Hervey Bay, Queensland, which is three hours north of Brisbane. I'm 32 this year, I believe. I grew up in Melbourne, Victoria.

Q. What was the journey like over here?

LACHLAN WOOD: It wasn't too bad, long flight. We got here and trying to manage the conditions as best we can.

Q. Has this been on your radar the last few weeks and months to be here?

LACHLAN WOOD: Yeah, ever since I entered, I hope to get in. As soon as I sort of got the field list and found I got a position, straightaway we setup a plan, try and raise some sponsorship, which I did. Enzo's (ph) been very supportive, thank you to them. Basically started straightaway.

Q. And you're here. What's it been like the last 24 hours?

LACHLAN WOOD: Course is really good, yeah. It's cold. Getting used to play with so many layers. Different game. Obviously pretty soft on the foot. Different grasses from what we're used to but I grew up in cool season grasses, be all right.

Q. And you have to be straight off the tee, for a start?

LACHLAN WOOD: Yeah, which is fine. I can hit it straight if I need to. Obviously not the longest player, so I like the layout of the course. Similar length to my home course, which is good, yeah, so I'm sort of liking the course out there.

Q. You're one of the best players in the world and there's a lot of good players here this week. What are your hopes for the whole week?

LACHLAN WOOD: Obviously No. 1.

Q. I guess to be the first winner is something that's inspiring everybody this week.

LACHLAN WOOD: 100 percent. Whoever has their name on the trophy first is always going to be No. 1, and potentially be No. 1 in the world as well, make history twice in one event.

Q. What are the strengths of your game in particular?

LACHLAN WOOD: Definitely sort of wedge play, straightness, positioning, course management. Pick the course apart sort of thing. I can understand how I play and manage the way I play and whatever game I've got, I can manage it and play the best I've got on the day.

Q. You talked about Australia, but can you give us insight into your journey in golf and the challenges you faced?

LACHLAN WOOD: Yes, I grew up playing since a pretty young age, one of my best friends is a really good golfer as a kid. He got me into it and it was good. Constantly chase him, trying to compete with him and that sort of pushed me to a good level. Had an accident when I was 16 and sort of set myself back. Gave it away for about seven years there in the middle. Went through a bit of a dark patch there and moved up to Hervey Bay and picked the clubs up and never looked back.

Q. What has golf done for you as a sport?

LACHLAN WOOD: Definitely saved my life. Given me a purpose. It's given me a career. It's given me everything. So now my life is based around golf, and having -- golf is the icing on the cake. I thought it was all done and dusted after my accident, my professional dreams. So to be playing here in a major is huge. Gives me something to sort of go for again.

Q. It's a lot of work in Australia, bodies working together to promote the sport?

LACHLAN WOOD: Yeah, golf Australia is doing a good job. Chris January Henry, what they have done is amazing, setting up so many events and the events are done really, really well. They look after us really well which is good.

Q. Who has inspired you in Australia and further afield in golfing terms in recent years?

LACHLAN WOOD: Locally or internationally?

Q. Who drives you to succeed?

LACHLAN WOOD: It's a hard one to say. There's so many here that have got an inspirational story. Everyone that I listen to on the EDGA broadcasts you know what I mean sort of drives me. I drive six hours a week to play PGA training matches and I listen to the EDGA broadcast and the stories that I hear keep me going. Whenever I think I've got it bad, I listen to that and you hear how bad other people have it.