MEN'S OLYMPIC GOLF COMPETITION

August 1, 2024

Sami Valimaki

Le Golf National

Finland

Quick Quotes

Q. You had it going for a while?

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI: Really solid ball-striking. Hit it good off the tee, second shots, had a lot of chances and then two bad irons in the end and didn't get any luck on that one.

Q. Is it a golf course right now that you feel that you have to be aggressive on?

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI: You just need to hit the ball well. That's the only thing over there. If you start missing off the tee, it's going to be tough.

Q. Scores are so low, is what makes it feel that way?

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI: I mean, it's the soft greens and they are rolling nice. So a lot of players can make a lot of putts and if they hit the fairways, you don't have two long clubs, so you can be aggressive on the approach shots.

Q. Does it feel more like a regular already Tour event?

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI: Yeah, I would say so. I mean, all the top guys now are in the tournament, and the field I think is the best in the Olympics in the three years now.

Q. In terms of the way the course was playing?

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI: Yeah, I feel like it's pretty much the same. Good setup for the week.

Q. One thing I wanted to ask about, I'm probably going to fumble this question, Tom Kim and the Koreans players face a mandatory military obligation. I know in Finland, you did that yourself. Different scenario, different country, different roles. Curious what is the perspective like facing that obligation? Because Tom could play his way out of that, earn an exemption. I know it's not about earning your way out of service. What is it like facing the obligation?

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI: I heard they need to do two years, and it's really strict. So it's tough, especially for him now. He's playing so well.

For me it was a bit easier because I kind of did it all before my pro career. So it didn't hurt that much, and I was only six months, so it made it easier. But I would say it's really a good thing for the Finnish country to have the military and get the boys a little bit working on the military. I think it's good for the country.

Q. I imagine there was something you had to prepare for, if you know there's a certain amount of time that you would have to devote?

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI: Yeah, I mean --

Q. Just in terms of setting up for beyond, going away for some long time and trying to get back to golf.

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI: I still feel like it was good. You have strict rules and you just need to follow them, and everything is going to be easy after that if you follow them.