Joaquin Niemann went through one of his best days on the PGA Tour on Day 1 of The Genesis Invitational. At 8-under 63, the endeavour will be to repeat the process that brought about the three-shot lead on Day 1.
Sixty-three at Riviera; where does that rank among the best rounds of golf that you’ve played in your life?
Joaquin Niemann: Yeah, I think it’s got to be one of my best days on the golf course, especially in a place like this with this history. Riviera Country Club is one of my favorite golf courses and this event is my favorite during the year.
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Did you feel this coming?
Niemann: Well, that’s a hard question. I mean, you always work to have these kind of days. Yeah, you always know that you’re never going to have these days four days in a row. It’s a good way to start. I know it’s going to be different days during the week, so I’ve got to be ready for everything and have the best attitude for it.
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Where are you on the Saudi situation? Have you had talks with the Saudi-backed league?
Niemann: I don’t really want to say anything, any comment about it. I just don’t want to say anything, sorry.
What was working in your round today?
Niemann: I think everything. I hit the ball great off the tee. My iron play, I was hitting it really close so that makes it a lot easier. The greens were pretty good also today and it wasn’t that windy. So yeah, I think the whole game was pretty good.
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Does this change your preparation for tomorrow, the rest of the week at all?
Niemann: No. I know tomorrow’s going to be a cold morning. Got to start hitting the ball good since the beginning, have a good warm-up. Yeah, I know it’s going to be a different day. Hopefully if it’s like it was today, it will be a lot of fun.
What makes this your favorite event of the year?
Niemann: I think just everything. The place we’re at, LA’s beautiful, I like it, and the course is one of my favorites. Just being here, being in a tournament hosted by Tiger also makes it a lot really special. I think obviously all the top players playing this week, so that make it a lot better also.
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Do you go out to eat on tournament weeks or do you usually go to the hotel and the golf course? Have you been checking out the restaurants in LA?
Niemann: No. I think the last year, probably the last year and a half we’ve been renting houses; Carlos Ortiz, now Mito Pereira, with Sergio, with Sebastian, so we always try to stay together. We always try to get a chef so he can cook for us and we can have an interesting night, we can have nice dinners, we can talk a lot. We have a great time during the time off the golf course. It makes the week a lot easier.
PGA Tour
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