LIV GOLF PROMOTIONS

December 12, 2024

Ross McGowan

Riyadh Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. I think you're probably safe getting in.

ROSS McGOWAN: I think so. It was tricky out there. It's not too bad. I played nicely, played solid. Didn't hit it particularly close but didn't make any mistakes, either.

Q. Early tee time today.

ROSS McGOWAN: Yeah, it was a bit chilly when we started, hence why I'm wearing trousers today. Looking forward to actually wearing shorts tomorrow.

Q. I think you came out here on an invite?

ROSS McGOWAN: I did.

Q. What brought you out here in terms of your own desire to try this?

ROSS McGOWAN: Yeah, I played Challenge Tour most of this year. I wasn't very well last year, so I didn't play at all.

Q. Ill?

ROSS McGOWAN: Yes, so I played a few events at the end of the season. But went to European Q-school, didn't play great, so my manager already asked for an invite in here, and obviously the call-up came, so it was a case of trying to get my game ready having sort of put them away for a few weeks, so yeah, it's been busy the last two weeks just trying to get the game back. Seemed all right today.

Q. Did you feel good going into today?

ROSS McGOWAN: Yeah, I think so. It was a little bit of unknown, having not played for almost five weeks probably. You're never quite sure what's going to turn up. But yeah, I drove the ball nicely. Most of my iron shots were pretty good. I had a couple that I pulled a hair, but on the whole we'll fix that on the range here hopefully shortly.

Q. Had you seen the course before?

ROSS McGOWAN: I hadn't, no. It's actually really nice. I'm enjoying it. It definitely rewards my type of game, I guess, sort of hit the fairways, hit the greens and give yourself chances.

Q. I know we've still got three rounds left, but what would it mean to be No. 1 after this week and have a spot for LIV?

ROSS McGOWAN: Obviously it would be lovely. It would give me a great place to play next year. In a way, from the category I've got at the moment to jumping to there, it would be a big step up. I need to grind it out again tomorrow, get through that, and then the final day, I think anything can happen. If you hit a hot putter or hit it close, anything can happen. But the main goal is to get through tomorrow and then we'll worry about Saturday.

Q. Have you been in touch with any of the guys out here, Blandy or any of those guys?

ROSS McGOWAN: Well, I know the Stingers guys pretty well. I played quite a lot on the Sunshine Tour when I first turned pro and spent a fair bit of time with Burmy over the years. I've played with Brooks a fair bit and obviously Westy and Poults and what have you. Yeah, it would be good to get out there and join those guys again.

Q. What was the injury?

ROSS McGOWAN: I had a virus. It was complicated. It was very complicated. They never really figured out what was wrong.