ABU DHABI ALDAR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

November 5, 2026

Sam Bairstow

Yas Links

Quick Quotes

Q. Thanks so much for joining us. You were out first at 7:20 this morning, and you shot a magnificent 7-under par 65. Any particular aspect, or all parts of the game good?

SAM BAIRSTOW: Yeah, I putted really well. Sort of been struggling with that last couple of events. I've done a lot of work the first three days. So, yeah, it was nice to see it pay off.

Q. Obviously this field has extended slightly because some players decided not to come. You were 81st, waiting for the call. When did you get that call? When did you know you're in, and is the attitude different when you think, wow, I didn't expect to be playing?

SAM BAIRSTOW: Yeah, I mean, I was on the flight over here, and, yeah, I got the message that I was playing. And so, yeah, three good days' prep, which was nice. And then, yeah, I think, yeah, where I am, you sort of just go at it and see what happens, really. It's either play well or I don't. So yeah.

Q. Three top 20s in your last four starts suggest you've been coming into form. Any particular aspect of your game that's been doing that? You've been working on some stuff?

SAM BAIRSTOW: Yeah, I've hit it a lot better sort of the last ten weeks, really. And then sort of just I usually putt really nicely, and then sort of haven't putted well. It's just that's golf.

But, yeah, I mean, saw the putts go in today, and ended pretty good. So, yeah, hopefully that carries on.

Q. 65 is a brilliant start. Well played.

SAM BAIRSTOW: Thank you.