Q. Just wanted to ask you a about your form coming into this tournament. Had a tied 21 and a tied 18. How are you feeling coming into it?
MIGUEL TABUENA: Yeah, the game is really solid. It was nice to get a break last week and sort of recover properly, get some practice done.
But coming into this week, you know, we -- I wanted to have a fresh body and fresh mindset, and I'll be ready to go tomorrow.
Q. You had a little bit of an injury in the Philippines. Have you fully recovered from that? Doing some extra work to kind of keep yourself in shape?
MIGUEL TABUENA: Yeah, just maintaining the body a bit. I withdrew from Macau the week before ID Philippines, which turned out to be a great decision.
But, yeah, was my sixth week in a row in Macau and that's probably why the body gave a bit.
But like I said, the body is fresh and ready to go tomorrow.
Q. And Ollie, turning to you, I think you had tied 11th in Singapore. Return to the form you were showing earlier this season?
OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS: I don't think I can really compare to that far back. A lot of things have changed since then. I've had to make some adjustments to my setup and swing.
So, yeah, there was a lot more positive stuff last week. Definitely felt like I had a chance to do something there.
So I wanted to give myself a shot this week to do something great. I know I need a big week to pass him and get in the Top 2.
Q. Asking again about those changes that you've had to make. What that's done in terms of consistency? Can you give us an insight into how you deal with something like that that happened earlier this season?
OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS: Yeah, it was really tough. It was a tough setback earlier in the year. I was out for two months and then it was a tricky process coming back. I definitely had to make some changes that were uncomfortable and also not hit a ton of balls, so it was a tricky process.
I had a lot of time off. Didn't play a ton this year. Jakarta was kind of my first tournament in a long time.
But healthy and able to continue the process and then to have some positives result-wise, last week.
Some it's just been accepting some of the things I tried to do were not going to be natural and long-term best for me. So I had to -- some of it was acceptance in my body and swing, certain things I can't do, shouldn't try to do.
I've been able to keep fine tuning and keeping things simple for my future, what I should try and do, and try to not be fighting my body or equipment. Just play within myself and that's going to be my best chance going forward.
Q. Okay. Just want to ask you both. Obviously, third on the rankings and fifth on the rankings going into this week with kind of elevated points. Wanted to get your feelings on whether that means there is additional pressure on you or whether you see it as an opportunity? Miguel first and get Ollie as well.
MIGUEL TABUENA: Yeah, I was second before Singapore and then Asaji played great. It was nice for him to win there. He's a good friend of mine. It was nice to see him get past the finish line. I know he's been wanting to win an event and it was nice to see him get it done at a very crucial moment.
Yeah, it's a big week for me and the team, but you have to treat it like any other event, go through your process, recovery. I think I have to finish inside the Top 5, which is doable, you know. I'm here to win.
But in reality I have to finish in the Top 5, and hopefully that's good enough.
But if not, it's been a great year for me and hopefully the game keeps trending up.
Q. Ollie?
OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS: Yeah, I played a lot of tournaments with kind of back against the wall, big stuff on the line. All you can do is do your job and do the best you can and see what happens. There is a lot you can't control in golf, a lot of luck involved. Things happen that -- some of the best weeks I've ever had they a lot of times just happen, too.
So I just will do the best job I can with my own battles and see what happens. That's all I can do.
THE MODERATOR: Any questions?
Q. Question for both of you. Both experienced campaigners, wit so much at stake this week, how do you put that in the back of your mind and focus on the golf?
OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS: Just a lot of experience doing it. I've had a lot the tournaments that felt like this and been doing it a long time. Like I said, you just have to -- you can only do your job and see what happens. It's really tempting to feel like -- try to control the result and make things happen and force the issue.
Like you're going to, you know, be more determined and try harder. It doesn't work. You can only do so much. It's golf. You got to make the job as simple as you can for yourself and just execute.
MIGUEL TABUENA: Very similar to what Ollie said. There are things that can't control, especially with what other players are doing.
Like I said, stick to your team, get in the flow state as fast as possible, and just see what happens. You have to just let it happen and not want to force things, because that's when things go sideways.
Yeah, so just the game plan for me is just to go out there and just be as free as possible, because that's when I play my best golf.
Q. How much do you appreciate playing on a tour with this scale of operations and concerts and things around? It must be a good week to be part of?
MIGUEL TABUENA: Yeah, we play this event once a year and it's everyone's goal on the Asian Tour to qualify for this event, and I'm glad to be here the second time in a row. It's another opportunity for me to test my game against the best in the world.
The course is in great shape. It's in better shape compared to last year. We have beautiful weather, and, yeah, hopefully the stars align for me.
OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS: Yeah, it's a great week, amazing opportunity. I love the golf course. It's in the best shape. This is my third time here in 12 months. I have good memories here of the promotions and playing the LIV event under the lights. I just really like this place.
The greens are extremely pure this week. I just think it's a fun golf course, and great opportunity.
Q. Will you be following the leaderboard, or will you just stay...
MIGUEL TABUENA: I would be lying to say if I wouldn't be following, but, yeah, it's nice to keep on the guys close to me or in that bubble that we're in. But other than that, you know, got to keep your head down as well and just focus on your game.
OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS: Yeah, I mean, I think the scores are pretty predictable given the weather and history. I think we kind of know what the scores are going to be and what it's going to take. I have to probably finish Top 3 to earn that Top 2, but I think playing good goes a long way this week regardless of Top 3 or not.
Got to just try to do the best I can.
As far as leaderboard watching, I think it's just going to take 20 to whatever to win, to be in the Top 3. So you're looking at trying to be right around five every day, three to seven a day.
I don't think whether I look at it or not it's going to change. That's kind of what it's going to take.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports