MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 9, 2025

Christiaan Bezuidenhout

AB de Villiers

Quick Quotes

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: Yeah, it was good. It's a funny thing right before the tournament kicks off tomorrow morning. It was a relaxed environment. It was great to have one of my friends here as well to caddie for me today.

I got to watch my little one out here as well.

Q. How long have you known each other?

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: We've probably known each other 10 years, 12 years probably. We've played a lot of golf together. We played a lot of Pro-Ams together back in South Africa.

We've kind of just been friends, yeah.

Q. Has he ever left your balls out there?

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: No, luckily not. I'm really scared of a cricket ball. I've never played cricket with him. I've played a lot of golf with him.

Q. Who's your caddie today?

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: AB de Villiers. He's probably not as famous in America, but around the world he's very famous. He's like the Tom Brady of cricket.

AB de VILLIERS: I'm right here, guys. I'm standing right here.

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: He played for our national team for how long?

AB de VILLIERS: 18 years.

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: Many, many years. He's been in the IPL for a long time. He's a good cricketing legend all around the world. Yeah, I'm honored to call him a friend as well.

Q. Who's your player?

AB de VILLIERS: It's Christian Bezuidenhout. He's a very good cricket player.

Absolute privilege. Glad to be here. I've been watching this event since I was 3 years old. It's great to be here with my mate and walk the golf course.

Q. Your first time?

AB de VILLIERS: I was here in 2022 when Scheffler won. It was pretty special. It's more special with him around. I'll be following him around and hopefully be there on Sunday. We'll see.

Q. Did you hit?

AB de VILLIERS: I hit a nice little sand wedge in there, found the green, spun back to the front fringe area. I'm pretty happy. I was completely numb. Could hardly breathe. I'm happy with the result.

Q. You're defending quite a good run. You made four putts in a row. What's your prognosis for the rest of the week?

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: Just the same. Just trying to put myself in a position on the weekend. On a course like this, just trying to find the right areas on the green where you can leave yourself with easy putts.

If you hit the wrong side of the greens here, it's going to be hard to make pars and stuff. Just trying to hit the right sections of the green, yeah, see how it goes.

Q. Do you get easy putts here? You said easy putts.

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: Easier putts than the normal.

Q. South Africans haven't really been in the mix come Sunday for quite a while, since I think Oosthuizen lost in the playoff.

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: Yeah. I don't know why. It's very similar grass that we grew up playing in. South Africa, especially on the greens. Not as much on the fairways. Maybe that can change this week. I don't think there's a real reason for it.

It's just one of those courses that are lovely. There's always a number of different players that have won here, and I think it suits one style of golf. You have to shape it both ways off the tee and into the green. Obviously you have to have a really good short game around here as well.

Q. What do you do now?

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: I'm done for the day. The prep is done.

Q. Let's go home.

CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT: We had a fun couple hours, yeah.