ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

January 20, 2022

Thomas Pieters

Yas Links

Quick Quotes

Q. Strong start to this tournament here in Abu Dhabi this week. Give us your assessment of how things went out there today?

THOMAS PIETERS: I didn't miss a green, which is always nice because you don't really know how your game, at least it's first 18 holes I played since Dubai last year, so it's quite nice to start like this.

Q. A lot of players have talked about conditions being favorable this morning. How were they this afternoon?

THOMAS PIETERS: I thought the first 12 holes were relatively easy I would say and the last three or four holes were quite tricky, at least a 2 1/2 club wind but still manageable. The greens are big so you can bail out places but if you leave yourself some long putts like I did, it's pretty tricky.

Q. Obviously this is a completely different test at this tournament, Yas Links obviously a brand new course this year. Is it one that suits your eye?

THOMAS PIETERS: I prefer the other one.

Q. What is it about the other one compared to this one that you fancy?

THOMAS PIETERS: The other one is like a proper ball-striker's course. This one requires more imagination, and like I said, the greens are on steroids I think. So yeah, I prefer the other one, but did well so it's all right.

Q. Tomorrow looks like the wind is going to be quite tricky to deal with. What are your thoughts heading into that?

THOMAS PIETERS: We will be the guinea pigs, if we are 4-over after four holes, maybe they can call it because it's looking like a lot of wind, so I don't know. If I can shoot something level par tomorrow, I think I'll be fine.