Q. You mentioned about the crowds last year, so Saturday last year for a U.S. LIV event was the highest attendance for an event. Just talk about coming back here going to school here, just Chicago as not only a sports town but a golf town with all the big courses here in this city.
THOMAS PIETERS: Yeah, Chicago has got loads of good golf courses. I kind of want to go play at night, like some of the other courses. I asked a friend to go play Sunday afternoon at Medinah and he was like, no, there's a member-guest this week there; he said, no way I'm playing golf Sunday afternoon.
Yeah, I'm playing golf on Monday in the area. Yeah, loads of -- like one of my favorite golf courses, Butler National, is just around the corner.
Yeah, they love their sports. They love golf. Hopefully we'll have a good turnout again.
Q. The course this week, talk about just walking the course and how are the course conditions, how is it shaping for your game and for 4Aces this week?
THOMAS PIETERS: They added a couple tees. Like 8 was super tough yesterday, driver, 5-iron into their tiny greens. Good thing they're soft. I remember last year they were really firm.
It's a ball striker's golf course, so it kind of plays into my hand, so I'm looking forward to it. My game is good, and yeah, the course is in great condition, so just hit loads of greens and make a few putts.
Q. What do you think about the 12th hole? They added about 150 yards. It's a par-5 now.
THOMAS PIETERS: Oh, the one with the terrible green? It probably plays better as a par-5.
Q. You coming this event 27th in points, within striking distance of finishing in the top 24, how big of a motivating factor is that for you?
THOMAS PIETERS: It's huge. It's super tight. You go five to ten spots down or up, it's anybody's game kinda.
We all have the same goals. We all want to finish up there. I've enjoyed being in contention a couple times this year. I've been a lot more consistent this year than the past two years, which were awful for me on the golf course.
So yeah, my game is getting better. The confidence is getting back. Hopefully one of these weeks I can get it across the line.
Q. Is that consistency more a result of off-field stuff?
THOMAS PIETERS: Yeah, for sure.
Q. It's kind of a better life for you right now?
THOMAS PIETERS: Yeah. Yeah. Everybody is happy at home, and that puts me in a good mindset, and then I can go out and play good golf.
Q. What's it like being part of the Aces? You were with the RangeGoats the first two years.
THOMAS PIETERS: I'm not going to compare, but it's great being on the Aces. It's fantastic.
Q. Have you gotten used to -- is it a different vibe over on the Aces team?
THOMAS PIETERS: It's probably closer to the first year on the Aces with -- Harold brings a lot of stuff to the team. Obviously P-Reed has been amazing. I can pick his brain at any time. Then DJ is just DJ; although he finishes at the bottom sometimes, he'll contend and almost win one. He's also great to learn from.
Q. What was the last thing you picked from P-Reed's brain?
THOMAS PIETERS: Yesterday, just chipping around the greens. The rough is really long, like an inch off the putting green. We were just kind of messing about with 58, 56 out of that grass, and we kind of both decided 56 would be an easier option. It's nice to do that with one of your teammates.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports