MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 13, 2024

Rickie Fowler

Quick Quotes

Q. Rickie, how would you describe the conditions here compared with the last two days?

RICKIE FOWLER: A lot more enjoyable today. But it's still a heck of a test out there. It's hard to really describe or put into perspective unless you've played it and kind of seen how the course can play and kind of how small the areas are that you have to land the ball in.

So I hit some great shots out there today; obviously wish it was better, but still a solid round of golf.

Q. I don't know if you separate holes like this, but how many green lights would you say and how many red lights are on the golf course today?

RICKIE FOWLER: Well, you got to hit the fairway first, so that dictates that part of it. There are quite a few pins that they're kind of just trying to bait you in a way.

You know, kind of a prime example, 7 in the front left there. I got away with being able to hit it in the front bunker, kind of uphill lie, hit a great bunker shot.

A lot of pins that were close to edges. You know, a lot of times 15, 20 feet is a heck of a shot. Yeah, not many green light situations just because of if you do misses your spot, it can be very penal.

But there were some -- plenty of birdies to be had out there, especially on the par-5s. Even though with the wind direction they all play into the wind, other than 2. Wasn't able to quite take advantage of those as I would have liked to.

That's typically where you can score a bit more around this place. But it's good. It's scorable, fair. Still hard at the same time.

Q. How far along were you in the process of saying, well, I'm out of here, and then Hideki and JT...

RICKIE FOWLER: I knew it was a 5 and so obviously I was trying to get to there. I had a good look on 17 and 18. I thought I hit a -- was going to have a chance.

Little tough up there on the top slope. I had a jumper from the first cut. I thought, you know, never know. There is no live scoreboards as far as knowing where 5-over was and how close 6-over was, so it was like don't screw up 6.

Maybe see if there is an outside chance. So I didn't know until I was finished. I didn't think it was a great chance since we were later in the day and there wasn't many guys out there. Me on 18, I didn't know how many guys were -- or had a chance to affect it.

So I was just trying to battle until the end. Whether 6 made it or not it's better posting 6 than 7 or 8 for me.

Q. Did you talk to JT or text him?

RICKIE FOWLER: I haven't. Yeah, no, that's golf. The conditions as well. I know he obviously made some poor swings coming in. That's not something you want to see for anyone, especially one of my best friends. So, no, I haven't talked to him.

I'm sure we'll touch base in the next couple days, especially with Hilton Head coming up.

Q. Did the par-3 curse ever come to mind on Wednesday for you?

RICKIE FOWLER: No. It's got to be broken at some point. You know, tough conditions first two days. I got off to a tough start the first and just kind of trying to battle back after that. But, no, I thought it will always be fun to try and do both. I've got one leg of it. Got work on the big course next.

It's cool winning the par-3 contest and being a part of that, having that is something, and to have done with it Maya and my wife on the bag.

So we'll see. Interesting to see if there is anything we can come up with to make it more enticing for guys to want to finish it out and kind of give a little bit more of a -- maybe everyone giving an effort over there.

Q. It's a nice trophy.

RICKIE FOWLER: Yeah, I got some great crystal, nice Crystal bowl out of it. Got my name over there forever. Whether they like it or not, my name is a part of Augusta forever.