HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 19, 2024

Derek Lowe

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. We have Derek Lowe here who's the current leader on the celebrity side of the event. Great round today. Talk about how you played.

DEREK LOWE: It was one of my better rounds that I played in these events. Lucky enough to shoot 70 for me, which is a little our above my pay grade.

At the end of the day playing with Chris and my good friend Nelly, I couldn't wait for it. You wake up, kid at Christmas. Nelly is one of my dear friends. Watching her play golf kind of everybody down.

Yeah, it was early. We were the first group off I think. Yes, I'm leading now, but probably people are going to catch me.

At the end of the day you want to give yourself a chance on the weekend.

Q. What are your thoughts on the weekend and how you prepare?

DEREK LOWE: Is this a PG or R show? We'll probably go to same pizza joint. At the end of the day, you want to be in contention. I was very fortunate to win this two years ago, so you kind of know the nerves. Because you're going to be nervous. All of us are.

But the biggest thing for me is driving it straight. If you can keep it in play you're going to give yourself a chance.

Q. What were the birdies on the front? Shot a couple under on the front. Where did you make your birdies?

DEREK LOWE: I birdied the 9th hole, and the other one is going to allude me.

Q. 3?

DEREK LOWE: 3, there you go. Long putt about 20 feet up the hill, left, right. Had a few other chances, but, again, as an amateur when we putt we try not to three-putt. Just going to get it up there, give yourself a tap-in.

Back to my original point. To be able to play golf with Nelly Korda, watch her play, interact, family was there, it was such an honor.

Q. Pretty cool. And how long was your putt at 9?

DEREK LOWE: It was I want to say 15 feet. Hit a 4-iron. Kicked it up there, chipped it to 15 feet, in it went, so, yeah, here we are.

Q. What is your low round?

DEREK LOWE: I think this is it in a celebrity event been very fortunate. This is my 11th year playing in these and I think this is it. We'll celebrate tonight with water.

Q. How about out of here? What's your low round overall?

DEREK LOWE: I think 64 at my home course, which is -- we're also playing 6200 yards, so wasn't like we're playing back stalls at 71.

Q. Where is that?

DEREK LOWE: Renaissance Golf, it's in Fort Myers, Florida. Again, just like you want to be part of the weekend, and so hopefully I'll be there.

Q. And Annika played well yesterday. You go --

DEREK LOWE: Yeah, bogey-free 68.

Q. Yeah. You were able to go up against her a --

DEREK LOWE: Yeah, I saw her last night. Obviously she was extremely happy and that is in my Top 5 best accomplishments ever. To stand next to Annika, mano a mano, she's obviously the Tiger Woods of the LPGA. To make a putt was, again, in my Top 5 most memorable moments.

Q. All sports?

DEREK LOWE: All sports.