MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 11, 2026

Ryan Gerard

Quick Quotes

Q. Ryan, how would you assess your round today?

RYAN GERARD: I played really, really good. I didn't really close it off that great, which is a little bit frustrating because I kind of felt like I was pushing a little bit there. You know, I was doing what I needed to do out there. It wasn't playing that difficult, but I mean, you could still get in trouble if you didn't hit a good shot.

So I'm a little surprised by how low the scores are, considering kind of where I thought it was going to be and the color of some of these greens, but not a whole lot of wind. I hit it nicely and kind of took advantage of the opportunities that I got.

Q. What went into the decision to lay back on 17 as far as you did off the tee?

RYAN GERARD: Yeah, I probably hit the tee shots on 17 and 18 combined less than, like, Aldrich Potgieter's average drive for the year. That makes you feel good.

I was just kind of getting a little stuck and wiping it a little bit on the last two holes. It just didn't really turn hard through it on 18, because I didn't want to push it or overcorrect from 17.

So, yeah, just kind of a couple of weird ones, but we'll go hit a couple on the range and see if we can get it straightened out.

Q. Can you talk about the decision matrix on 13 and 15 right now and when you're able to go for it versus when you're going to lay back to a wedge?

RYAN GERARD: It's difficult to not go for the green on 15 because the wedge shot is so hard, but if there was a time to lay up, it would be today.

I just had a really good club in, and I knew exactly where I was looking. I was looking right at that right bunker. I felt very confident that if I hit it in that bunker or anywhere just right of that bunker, even in the grandstand, it was an easy up-and-down.

13 is a lot more difficult. Statistically they would say to not go for 13 unless you have an iron in your hand. Even then, you have to feel really comfortable with it. That pin is just tucked on that knob, and that green gets really firm.

I had a perfect number in for a 7-wood yesterday, and I just smoked it, and it went kind of through into that back bunker. There was absolutely nothing I could do from there.

So you have to be really patient on holes where you might not have a perfect number, and if you have a great one, like, you got to take advantage, because that's not very often out here, and you got to kind of push your chips in when you get the chance.

Q. On the no phone policy, do you notice a difference in patron behavior here, energy levels, versus other stops you go to?

RYAN GERARD: I would say people are a lot more locked in on what's going on. I think in general the group of fans out here is probably a little bit more seasoned and experienced than a WM Phoenix Open.

They kind of cultivate a really nice culture out here where people are enjoying the golf, rooting for the right people, and just going out there and enjoying the day. It's not as much of trying to yell something in someone's back swing to get it online or something.

I'd say the overall vibe of the Masters kind of fits with the way that the patrons behave. I don't know for sure, but I would assume if you acted like an idiot, they would kind of take care of that quickly.

Q. One more day to go. Complete the sentence, "You'll be happy if X happens tomorrow."

RYAN GERARD: I'll be happy if I shoot 59. No, I think if I go out and just kind of continue doing what I've done the last few days and stack a nice round together, I'd love to get in kind of that top 10, top 8 would be kind of a realistic goal.

I have a feeling it's going to play tougher. I've said that every day, and it just hasn't really materialized yet. So maybe I'll be right one of these times.

If I go out and just keep the ball in front of me, do what I've been doing, and just get maybe one or two putts to fall, it will be a solid day and it will be a great week. We're going to go out there and have fun with it, but take advantage of the opportunities and try and post a decent one on the final day to kind of maybe back door like a top 5 or something.