MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 7, 2022

Austin Greaser

Quick Quotes

Q. Austin, what were the nerves like on that 1st tee shot today?

AUSTIN GREASER: Yeah, they were there. I walked off the 1st tee telling my caddie I'm just happy I made contact. I said that, I think, earlier this week. It was in the middle of the face, just left it open a hair, so it ended up going right.

Definitely there, but definitely everything I've dreamed of and prepared for and loved every second of it.

Q. Austin, how would you describe the buildup today? What time did you wake up? What was last night like?

AUSTIN GREASER: Yeah, it was exactly what I would have imagined. You do your homework, you get out here, and I came out here a few times even before the actual week started. You don't see anybody out there, and it's just you and the green grass.

You get out here the week of, and more people start to fill in. You wake up this morning, and the first thing you see on the tee box is eight, ten people deep. So it's definitely built up.

I think I got out this morning a little before 5:00, gave myself plenty of time, just wanted to kind of take things slow this morning. I'm really happy with the way it went. I'm probably going to try to do something similar tomorrow morning.

Q. How would you characterize your round?

AUSTIN GREASER: Yeah, I think I played fairly well. I feel like I hit a lot of good putts that didn't go in the hole. I hit a lot of edges today, but I tried to keep my composure and just kept rolling it. Wish I could have a couple strokes back there on the back nine, but that's just golf.

It's just kind of a place like this when it's playing tough out there and the wind is blowing through those trees back there. I think that back nine ends up being pretty tough today.

Q. When you got to 1-under, what were your thoughts?

AUSTIN GREASER: It's fun, man. 1-under at Augusta National, how fun is that? Got the crowd going on 9, and that was awesome. Hopefully I can do something similar tomorrow too.

Q. What was it like going around the track with the major champions and kind of imagine them coming into the clubhouse?

AUSTIN GREASER: Yeah, it was awesome. I like those guys a lot, and I'm looking forward to another 18 with them tomorrow. I really enjoyed my time with them, and it was an honor to play with them.

You see them all the time on TV and what they've accomplished. Hats off to them. I really appreciate them taking me under their wing a little bit today and being kind, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow with them.

Q. After today's round, can you anticipate eating the same breakfast tomorrow?

AUSTIN GREASER: Yeah, something similar. I feel like I'm not a very superstitious guy. It did taste good this morning, so I'll probably get the same thing. I got an omelet with ham, mushroom, and spinach, wheat toast too, little strawberry jam. So I'm excited. It's fun to be here and fun to be eating Augusta National food.

Q. What would you say is the highlight of your round?

AUSTIN GREASER: I feel like it's really hard to pick. I think on 16 -- 15 or 16, Tiger made 2 on 6, and I don't even know if it was anything in my realm, but that was sweet because like I'm playing golf on the same course as Tiger in the same tournament, and I'm hearing the roars.

I grew up watching him a little bit. I missed most of his prime, I'm a little too young. But honestly, that was probably the highlight. I mean, I had a lot of fun in my own game, but to be standing in the same spot as him this week and be able to compete against him is really, really frickin' cool. I kind of enjoyed that to be honest.

Q. Finally, with the first round in the books representing University of North Carolina, representing Ohio, was it everything you thought it would be?

AUSTIN GREASER: Yeah, absolutely, everything and more. I think even we have more people out here today than even the last few. I felt like I did a good job kind of narrowing into my target, though, and the people started to go away a little bit.

It was so much fun. I felt like I had a lot of good support out there. So really enjoyed it.

Q. First putt on 13, it looked good all the way from your point of view?

AUSTIN GREASER: It did look pretty good, just a little too much pace. Wish I could have that one back just a little bit. Just kind of misjudged it, but I gave it a good run coming back. It just didn't go in the hole.

I at least learned something there. It's faster than it looks down that side.

Q. How does this day compare with the basketball games the other night?

AUSTIN GREASER: I feel like I enjoyed today more just because I wasn't on the floor, but I was sure pulling for those guys. I think it was a lot of fun watching them in the final game. Hats off, man, nobody thought they could get there, so I hope their heads are high and they enjoyed being on the big stage because we sure enjoyed watching them.

Q. Is there anybody from UNC that you noticed today in the gallery?

AUSTIN GREASER: Yeah, a few people actually. A lot of Go Heels this week. I think there's a lot of UNC alumni, UNC fans out there, so that's cool.

A couple of pros at our university course Finley are here. I got to say hello to them. A couple of alumni that I'm pretty close with that play golf or are close to the golf program, got to say hi to them. So that was pretty cool to see them out here.

I'm really excited to rep this university. It's my favorite, of course. I think it's the best in the world. I'm a little biased, but I think it is.

Q. Did you find the course any different after all the rain that came in?

AUSTIN GREASER: Absolutely. It was very soft. I feel like, before, on the front nine, it was pretty gettable, to be fair. You've still got to go execute, but it was playing so soft you could fly it right next to the pin and get it to stop.

I think I did a pretty good job of that. Wish I could have maybe one swing back, but it's hard to make all of them good swings. So good finish there on 8 and 9, kind of took advantage of the front nine, maybe a few rough swings coming home.

Like I said, it got tough back there with the wind. I'm not really hanging my head at all. I think I'm in a great spot. I think it's going to play tough for this afternoon wave.