MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 14, 2024

Jose Maria Olazabal

Quick Quotes

Q. 30 years since your first green jacket. How much have you enjoyed this week being back?

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: I enjoyed every bit of it, I have to say. It was a wonderful present to be able to play the weekend. I think it's the second time in ten years or whatever. I wasn't expecting that, to be honest, tackling the week. I wasn't expecting to play good golf like I did this week.

Even on Friday, I thought I was going to be short by one. Luckily, because of the weather conditions, some players fall back, and I was able to play on the weekend. Obviously a great feeling to be here on the weekend 30 years after my victory.

As I said, I've enjoyed every bit of it this week. I'm proud of myself, the way I played and the way I handled the situation.

Q. How impressed have you been with the way that you played?

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: Well, on Friday, by instance, I think that day was the best golf I played for, I don't know, six, seven, eight years. Really, it was tough conditions, and I executed a lot of shots well. I kept my composure under those circumstances really well. I played really well this week.

Q. How special and honored do you feel being able to come back here year on year?

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: Well, it's an honor and a privilege, I have to say. I've always said this, every time I get through that gate, I feel in peace with myself, and it's a great feeling to have. That's all I can say.

Q. There are two young Europeans near the top of the leaderboard, Ludvig and Nicolai. How impressed have you been with them this week?

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL: I've been impressed with them, especially at the Ryder Cup. I met the boys there for the first time, and the way they hit the ball, the way they swing, they do so many things well. It is not surprising that they're in the mix.

I believe that these young kids, if things go normal, I think they're going to be in contention in majors many times.