MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 11, 2024

Joaquin Niemann

Quick Quotes

Q. 2-under opening round. Windy conditions. Feel like your ball flight helps you in these conditions?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah, I mean, it was really tricky. I felt like it's tough because you got hit it pretty high some shots into the greens and it's into the wind and I like to hit it low.

So it was a little tricky on a few holes. I felt like No. 5 was one of those where I kind of felt more comfortable hitting a low one and I had to hit a high one because I wanted to land it on top, and I caught up with the wind and had a little mistake there on No. 5.

Q. What else happened on that hole? I saw you made double.

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah.

Q. That was really your only one...

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah, I feel like I did a few mistakes, few little mistakes I did during the round that I feel like I need to get better.

I mean it, it was a tough up and down for 4, but I end up doing six which was not great. It was just didn't feel that committed on the chip on the third shot.

Yeah, I mean, other than that it was bad three-putt. I was getting used to the speed and I was kind of leaving everything short at the start, and after that I got used to it.

Q. When you see how much it's gusting now are you glad to be in the house?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: No, it was like that all the time. Especially on 11. Then on 12, 12 was a little tricky. I hit -- I mean, I made bogey there but I wanted to hit a nine.

I knew it was into the wind, but then I felt like wedge was getting there. I just give it a little extra and wasn't the right swing.

Yeah, just lack of commitment there.

Q. What goes through your head when you see what Bryson shot out there today, 65?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah, pretty impressive. You can score obviously. Birdies are out there. But it's tricky to play 18 holes with no mistakes. I feel like this course is -- it's one of those if you play good the par-5s and a few other in the back nine you can go low.

I think that's what Bryson did.

Q. With how well you've played the past few months, can it be more pressure to come into the Masters playing well than maybe not playing your best?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: No, I feel like -- I mean, it just feels nice. I need to still do the same, just commit to my shots. Same routine, same everything. If I'm hitting it better, I might have a good chance.

Q. You mentioned yesterday the invitation, (indiscernible.) I don't know if you heard about it. What do you think about the invitation?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: Yeah, obviously super honored to get an invitation from the Masters. I mean, it was something that I was kind of fighting for and going out and playing all over the world to try to get -- I mean, more than invitation, I was trying to earn my way into the world ranking.

But, yeah, unfortunately I didn't make it and had a good news starting my season on leave. They call me about an invitation so I was really excited about it.

Q. Where were you when you found out you got the invite?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: I was right before -- I mean, I was in Oman playing International Series. It was Tuesday morning so it was sweet. I had to wait until one day. Couldn't tell anyone.

Q. Why couldn't you tell anybody?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: I mean, they told me they were going to do it public on the day after so I had to stay quiet.

Q. What was it like going through that day and not being able to tell a soul? Was that the hardest secret you ever had to keep?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: It was a hard secret. Yeah, I told a few people, but like luckily they didn't say anything.

Q. Did you get emotional at all?

JOAQUIN NIEMANN: No, didn't get emotional. I don't know why I knew I was going to be here, so it was kind of like meant to be in a way. It was kind of like the way I felt and it was meant to be.

Yeah, obviously I'm super thankful and honored to be here. Thanks to the Masters to have my chance to be playing here. I know if I play good I might have a chance, so thank you.