Q. Ernie, 3-under par 67. You must be really pleased, particularly with the birdie on 17 to take some momentum into tomorrow.
ERNIE ELS: Exactly, yeah, and a good save on 18, which was almost as important.
Didn't play my best. Weather conditions didn't help. I thought we had two hours of crap there, but everybody kind of hung in there. I was with a good group. The guys were scrambling and grinding, so it kind of kept everybody going.
I got to be satisfied with 3-under first round, you know. I'm not out of it. Try and move tomorrow.
Q. You spoke yesterday about your love for this course. What's it like out there in such a competitive environment as a Senior Open?
ERNIE ELS: It's the best. For us, yeah, us old boys, to play this type of course, British Seniors, doesn't get better, especially for me a mile up the road, sleep at home. I know so many members here. I've played with them so many years. I've been here 30 years, so very nice to play this tournament, yeah.
Q. And the condition of the course as well? It's not as firm and fiery as people expected. How much has that changed things?
ERNIE ELS: It's perfect. The greens are a little bit slower now with all the rain. Course is perfect. I played last Friday when it was it firmer. They were a little bit worried so they put a lot of water. But since the rain has come the grass is perfect. It's perfect. Everything is perfect.
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