Q. Lachlan, can you share some of your thoughts on the course setup this week at Abu Dhabi Golf Club?
RYAN LACHLAN: Yeah, the course this week, I got out yesterday for my first round. Quite a long golf course. I know the modern game requires a long course. But it's really well set up for my game and most of the guys out here. Bombing driver will be -- if you've got it, a strength, something to take advantage of. It seems like a real ball striker's course. Iron play is going to be a premium. If you can hit it close enough, the greens are rolling pure, so you can go low.
Q. As an outsider looking in, what was your impression of LIV Golf in 2023? Did you follow it closely, and what was your overall take on the league?
RYAN LACHLAN: I loved it. Everyone asks you the question, if you got the chance, would you go, and I said of course, in my position, and now I'm here with that opportunity in front of me.
I'm in Adelaide, so I happened to go to LIV Adelaide, by all accounts the best LIV event of the year. I know all my friends were talking about it, and they're people who don't talk about golf tournaments. I really think it appeared to that market of younger golfers or not even golfers, just young fans of events, bringing in big DJ's and major golfing names. It was a match made in heaven, especially in the Adelaide event, which was the only one I went to. I'd love to be a part of it.
Q. What would it mean to play in front of a home crowd like that? Is it something that obviously inspires you to --
RYAN LACHLAN: Oh, yeah. You have all the emotions there. It would be excitement, nerves, playing against the best players in the world in your backyard with all your friends and family watching.
Q. This week only three players are qualifying for the league this week. Do you feel confident in your game heading in with that added pressure?
RYAN LACHLAN: Definitely. I think if anything, it depends how you frame it, but I feel like that takes a little bit of pressure away. It's much like a Monday qualifier we'll call it, a lot of guys for just two or three spots. You've got to play your best golf to make it. Balls to the wall basically, trust your game, trust your instincts, and play your best.
Q. The team element of LIV Golf is obviously one of the things that sets it apart. Is that something that's incentive to you and your potential participation in the league, as well?
RYAN LACHLAN: Yeah, it would be amazing. I was lucky enough to play golf for college, for a team, and when we left, that's what our coach said. He's like, guys, remember this, because it's probably the last time, even if you do pursue golf professionally that you'll ever play on a team. Only a few people will ever have the live to do it in a Ryder Cup or a Presidents Cup. The fact that they brought team golf to life on a major stage at LIV is something you don't get anywhere else.
Q. LIV Golf recently unveiled its schedule for next year, got events across Australia, Asia, South America, Europe, the USA. Does that global nature of the league, is that something that attracts you to join?
RYAN LACHLAN: It is. I love traveling. I love seeing new places just like this.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports