MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 12, 2024

Erik Van Rooyen

Quick Quotes

Q. How are you?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: I am tired. I feel like I got hit by a train just now.

Q. Is that the wind or is that just the course?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Both.

Q. What was the biggest difference between today and yesterday?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: The wind is blowing way harder. Completely different direction. I mean, the amount of sand that's on the green on 18 is -- the gusts blowing up that hole was crazy. Extremely gusty. For example, on hole 10, I had 171 yards to the hole which normally is a little 8-iron. Wind is out of the right, I'm trying to hit a soft 7 to keep it under the wind, 175-yard 7-iron, and the wind turns, comes straight downwind and the 7-iron carries 190 over the green. I can't explain that.

Q. Do you reckon these are the toughest conditions you've ever played in?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Yes.

Q. By far?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Yes.

Q. Can you talk us through 7, the putts on 7?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Yeah, that was --

Q. Just a misread?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: I just hit it too hard. That hole is on a crown, and it's just extremely difficult to control the pace. First of all, the approach shot, again, like I'm trying to play a 100-yard shot with the wind down trying to land it sort of 106, and the wind just knocks it out of the air and it comes up short and you're completely dead from that position. On a hole where you've got sand wedge in.

I can't explain it. It's extremely frustrating.

Then to go three-putt from there is infuriating. I feel like I played great golf if I can get rid of hole 2, the bogey made there, and 7. The rest was on point.

Q. Your score should be enough to make the cut. There's a 39-year history for South Africans making the cut in the Masters, and Schwartzel just made it last year to carry it on. How proud are you to be a part of that and the South Africans' rich history here at the Masters?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: Yeah, it means an incredible amount. I bleed for my country. I'm incredibly proud. South Africa is obviously in a sort of tough spot politically and economically, and for us to be here and play golf at the highest level and represent our country, I couldn't be more proud.

Whether I made the cut or have the honor of wearing the green jacket on Sunday or if I miss the cut here, I'll always be proud.

Q. Why do you reckon golf is so strong in South Africa? Why do you reckon the Masters is even heightened?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: I don't know. I think as a country, we've been through an extreme amount of hardship, regardless of your background, and I think that breeds people that are determined to get ahead in life. You can look at all the kinds of sports, whether it's swimming in the Olympics or rugby, cricket, golf. We shine wherever we compete.

I think it's because of our upbringing. We always sort of feel like we're behind the 8-ball and we've got something to prove, and that creates extremely competitive people.

Q. Obviously the competition is going to be strong for the next two days. Do you still feel like you're within a shout?

ERIK VAN ROOYEN: I shot 28 in Mexico a few months ago, so I reckon if I'm within six or seven shots there's always a chance. On a day like today, I think it's extremely hard to catch up, hence my disappointment in the few shots I left out there. But yeah, if I can be within a few shots of the lead, I'm definitely throwing my name in the hat.