ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

November 7, 2024

Joost Luiten

Yas Links

Quick Quotes

Q. 67 to start your account in Abu Dhabi. How did you find it out there today?

JOOST LUITEN: It was scorable, nice and warm, especially the back nine. Not a lot of wind. Ball was going. Course is in great condition. So it was there for the taking. And you know, 5-under, but missing a putt on the last from 15 feet, I'm a bit annoyed now.

Q. It's pretty hot out there. Almost a little bit strange playing a links course in these environments.

JOOST LUITEN: It's strange, but you're in Abu Dhabi. It's a bit earlier in the year than we are normally here, end of January or February. So it's a bit hotter. But I like the heat. It makes your body nice and loose. You don't have to wear three or four layers of clothes. I'm quite happy with these conditions.

Q. You always perform very well in this part of the world. This tournament, a handful of top 10s. Your best finish, third in 2018. What is it about the Abu Dhabi HSBC that you love?

JOOST LUITEN: I used to love the course. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, I thought it was a great track, really suited my game and I've been playing decent over the last couple years here.

So it's growing on me, this course, as well. This course is one of these courses that you need to know a little bit because there's a lot of run-offs and tricky pins. That's the thing with these courses; they are always in great condition. So if you play well you can shoot a decent score.

Q. Like many links courses, you need to take command of the greens, don't you?

JOOST LUITEN: Yeah, and they are so pure. But you've got to be careful, like on the last, I wanted to go for the birdie a bit too much, and you race it by five or six foot, they are tricky coming back on these greens. That's what you need to avoid. You need to just roll it up there, and if it drops, it drops.

But I got a little bit greedy on the last and I made a three-putt, and lunch is going to taste a little bit more sour.

Q. Whenever your sights are set on a target, you rise to form. What would it mean to be there next week?

JOOST LUITEN: Yeah, that's the goal. I know I need a really good week to finish top 10 or even higher. On one side there's no pressure because if you make it, it's a nice bonus, and if you don't make it, I'll stay for a nice holiday week.

I'll just try to take the pressure off and play some golf. Luckily we started well, and we'll see what we can do.