MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 8, 2025

Sergio Garcia

Jose Luis Ballester

Quick Quotes

Q. Can you talk about a practice round with the Masters champion and what you learned today.

SERGIO GARCIA: Three Masters champions (laughing).

JOSE LUIS BALLESTER: It was amazing. Well, I played the first nine by myself. I think I -- well, I wish I had them to tell me a little more about that front nine. But I putted a little better on the back nine the times that I've been here, so it was great to share that back nine with them again three, four Green Jackets in that group, so it was very special, especially around the greens, all the knowledge that they could share with me was pretty meaningful and hopefully I can put it on display on Thursday and Friday.

Q. How do you possibly obtain and kind of process all the information that you could get from them throughout the course of the day, because each hole, each green complex has such something special to them that they want to pass along to you.

JOSE LUIS BALLESTER: Yeah, just trying to keep my ears open, first of all it's listening and then kind of like take the information the way that I think it could help me, very creative, and I think that kind of is the same way as Sergio and maybe the way that he approaches certain shots I feel like I can relate a little more than maybe Jon in certain aspects but, yeah, at the end of the day it's information and it's just the way that you approach it when it matters.

Q. Sergio, your dad obviously coaches Jose Luis, do you remember the first time you heard about him and then the first time that you saw him play and hit shots?

SERGIO GARCIA: Awhile back, for sure. Obviously we're from the same town in Castellón, and I want to say it was probably 12 or 13.

JOSE LUIS BALLESTER: A little older. I remember, I was around 15.

SERGIO GARCIA: Okay. So, awhile back. Obviously I'm getting old, my memory's not as good as his. But, yeah, no, it's been great. It's been great to spend time with him, obviously my dad, and in our academy he's done some work there and he's been, it's been fun for me to see not only the kind of player he's become and the kind of person he's become, the kind of man he's becoming, and, you know, obviously a good friend of mine and an unbelievable not only player but person, which is even more important. It's great to see the success he's been having. Super proud of him and we keep in touch, we text each other pretty much every week making sure that we're both in the right tracks and it's been a lot of fun to watch him play.

Q. How much inspiration do you get from what Carla did last week?

JOSE LUIS BALLESTER: It was amazing. I mean, she's been my best friend since I was like this tall. We both started playing tennis together even before we started playing golf. Shared two years in high school before coming to college. We both live within one mile of each other. I have a really close connection with her, so seeing her as the first Spaniard woman to win the ANWA here at Augusta and join the names like Sergio, Seve, Jon and Jose Maria, I mean, what a list to join, right? So super happy for her. I told her to make sure to enjoy the moment because these things go fast. And, yeah, one of the others things I said is that no matter how good I do at Augusta during my career, she would always mess with me because she accomplished it first.

Q. What was it like for you, Sergio to see that success from Carla?

SERGIO GARCIA: Yeah, it was great. Obviously I was in Doral, I was in Miami, and as soon as I finished my second round my team told me and so proud. So proud of her. We obviously sent her a video to say congrats and I watched the highlights that night and it means so much to Spain and Spanish golf and I know, I hope she realizes that, but more than anything, same thing, great woman and a wonderful player and the kind of people that we want to be representing our country. Super happy and super proud of her.

Q. You've obviously been on a great run of form here in recent months. When do you feel like you've arrived here feeling -- like when was the last time that you arrived here at this tournament feeling this confident and this good about your game?

SERGIO GARCIA: I don't know. I mean, I've obviously had years where I've come here feeling good. Last year I was feeling good, I was coming off almost winning in Doral too. So I think for me at the end of the day when I come here to Augusta it's more mentally, you know, just -- and it's something that I want to make sure that I do the right way this year. I want to be here and I want to enjoy. I don't want to focus too much about having to play well or having a chance at winning. Obviously I'm hoping that I would have that chance, but I just want to enjoy my week. This is an amazing week, this is something that I get the pleasure of doing every single year because of what happened in 2017 and I want to make sure that I enjoy it no matter what. It doesn't matter what I shoot, but obviously I'm going to give it everything I have and then we'll see what happens.

Q. I know Sergio's been a big influence but I'm curious how Jon Rahm has impacted you at Arizona and then Carlota as well.

JOSE LUIS BALLESTER: Yeah, they're very close to ASU, they both live over there. So it's great to have them sometimes in the facility. Carlota actually practices a lot at ASU. Jon, he has became a great friend the last few years especially because of David, a good friend of mine that we shared one year on the team together. So it's great having these kind of relationships close. Most likely I'll stay in Arizona and keep building those relationships, so it's obviously awesome to get to know and learn from a guy like Jon.

Q. What was the most impactful thing you learned out there today?

JOSE LUIS BALLESTER: Today? That's a good question. Again, kind of like what Sergio said, tried to have the most fun. It's a unique place and especially being here as an amateur it probably feels more unique than many of the guys in the field. So try to soak it in all I can and I think with all these people, with all the following that I'm going to have, since I'm playing with Scottie and Thursday and Friday, if I'm able to not be too focused about what's going on outside and try to really embrace the moment I think that's when I can have my best game.