ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

November 6, 2025

Richard Sterne

Q. 64 to begin your campaign here in Abu Dhabi.

RICHARD STERNE: Yeah, very good start, 29 on the front. I think it's the second time in my career I've shot 29 so it doesn't happen very often so it was quite special. Struggled on the back nine, a couple weak bogeys, but I finished with an amazing putt and that made up through that.

Q. Walk us through that on 18.

RICHARD STERNE: I was confusing the line to be honest. I wasn't quite sure what was happening but obviously read it correctly and got a bit lucky and just hit a perfect putt, really.

Q. As you mentioned, you got off to a fast start. What part of your game aided that this morning?

RICHARD STERNE: I've been hitting it good for a long time. I've been consistent with the hitting and I just haven't been getting enough 20-, 30-footers in, and today I made a couple and the closer ones I made. The scoring was pretty quick and easy on the front nine when it goes that way. Back nine was a bit slower, I missed a few. But all in all, the putting was a lot more solid and that gave me the chance to shoot a good round.

Q. Where has your game heading into this weekend? How are you feeling about it?

RICHARD STERNE: I'm feeling very good, actually. Since August it's been on the up. When I putt well, I can compete. I've been putting a lot of time into my putting so hopefully things start turning around.

Q. How do you build on this going forward?

RICHARD STERNE: It's a long week because obviously no cut so you want to try and keep yourself in the tournament. Obviously having a good first round is imperative, I think, to keeping you going and giving you some momentum heading into the next three rounds.