MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 11, 2024

Santiago de la Fuente

Quick Quotes

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Q. Santiago, rough ending to your first round, but the dream is a reality, you competed in the Masters, got your first round under your belt. Thoughts on the start of the day with the delay and overall feeling on your round?

SANTIAGO DE LA FUENTE: I mean, I think I hit it pretty good on the front, then made a birdie on the back. Last feeling on the back after hole 11, started hitting a couple bad shots.

On 13, honestly, it was the best swing all day. We didn't see the ball have mud, and the ball ran into the water. I think after that, I just lost confidence. But still one more day before the cut. I think I can play good, and I think I can make the cut.

Q. Can you talk about the eagle on 8? That gets you a little bit of crystal, and also talk about the birdie on 10, going for that back right pin.

SANTIAGO DE LA FUENTE: Well, it was a good number for both. I hit a 5-wood. It was downwind, very uphill lie. I just hit it as hard as I could. Then nothing I can control. Got there, and the ball was close, so that made me happy. Then made the putt. I think that gave me some hardware for my house.

Q. Talk about 10, going after that pin, back right.

SANTIAGO DE LA FUENTE: Probably worst swing all day. I'm not going to lie. I pushed that ball about 20 yards, then just sliced it all the way back there. Got lucky, hit it close. Then made a good putt.

Q. Biggest challenge you faced on the back nine as the wind started picking up that maybe as a Masters rookie you felt a little bit unprepared for?

SANTIAGO DE LA FUENTE: Honestly, I just think I had bad numbers. This game, sometimes you have good numbers, sometimes you don't. My swing wasn't great on the back. But nothing I can do while I'm out there.