Media Center Interviews

April 2, 2019

Pre-Tournament Interview with Joaquin Niemann

JOHN BUSH: We would like to welcome Joaquín Niemann into the interview room here at the Valero Texas Open. Joaquín, first of all, we'll get you to take us back to last year when you made your PGA TOUR professional debut here in San Antonio. If you can just take us back and get your thoughts on that 6th place finish last year.

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Yeah, I will never forget that first week as a pro. It was really amazing and I think it has been one of the best weeks I have ever played golf. Hopefully, I try to do a better result than last year and also grateful to be here.

JOHN BUSH: And what was it about this golf course that you liked so well?

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: I think it fits really well for my driver. It's really tight fairways and if you miss a fairway, you're not fun. I think just hitting my low driver, getting me a lot of fairways. From there I just need to get it closer.

JOHN BUSH: And before we open it up to questions, just comment a little bit about your season up to this point and your expectations going forward.

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Yeah, this season I feel that I've been hitting the ball well, but have not been scoring. So, I mean, I just got to be patient and wait for the results. Yeah, I just enjoy every week.

Q. So last year was almost like ignorance is bliss in a sense that you were on auto pilot and playing well so well and had a lot of really good top finishes. What kinds of things have kind of caught up to you now, whether it be travel or having to learn the nuances of the golf course?

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Yeah, for now on it's going to be a lot easier because I know a lot of the courses I'm going to be playing. Hopefully, I try to get the results I have last season. I played really good and I feel I'm playing really good now also, but I just need to be patient and wait for the good week.

Q. What has it been like now that you've had a full season under your belt? What are some of the things that you've had to learn the hard way, so to speak?

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Yeah, it's funny now I remember me last year playing here, I have no clue where to go. Like I was here like what am I doing here? Now I just feel so much more experience. I feel more comfortable out here with the guys and I feel a lot better now than the year before.

Q. Any players that you stay with who've kind of taken you under their wing? I know you've mentioned Sergio in the past. Who else?

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Yeah, I've been with the Mexicans, Carlos, Abraham, with Jhonattan also. They all speak Spanish. And been playing with Harold Varner a couple weeks. He's really nice, he's funny. I enjoy playing with him.

Q. Harold?

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Yeah.

Q. How about José de Jesús Rodríguez?

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: El Camaron?

Q. Yes.

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Yeah, I haven't played with him yet, but he's always really nice. He always come to me and say, "Hi, how are you doing?" He's really nice, I would love to play with him once.

Q. Have you played the course since you've been here? Have you played it yesterday or this morning?

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Yeah, I played this morning. I just played nine holes and I feel that it's in really good shape. I thought it was going to be a little colder because they did it before this year, but the weather is perfect. I think I'm going to really enjoy this week. It's a really nice course and I like it.

Q. Is there anything different about it compared to last year that you've noticed?

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Looks pretty much the same. I think it's probably a little more green than last year. I think it looks better now.

Q. How do you feel about your first start at the Valero Texas Open?

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: I'm really happy to be back here where it all started and I'm just going to enjoy this week as much as I can, try to do a good week like I played last year. And also it's nice to stay in the hotel here inside the property, so that's nice.

JOHN BUSH: Joaquín, we appreciate your time. Best of luck this week.

JOAQUÍN NIEMANN: Thank you.