.
THE MODERATOR: Darren, 3-under today in the first round. What did you do well out there.
DARREN FICHARDT: Yeah, I hit the ball pretty well. Putter was also quite solid. I made the putts I needed to make. I think I only missed one fairway -- well, two fairways. I missed on the last, as well. But I think it's key to be on the fairway, give yourself a chance to be on the right place on the green.
Q. Were the greens as difficult as you expected?
DARREN FICHARDT: No. So the greens are very soft compared to the practice round. On Tuesday, I thought we were in big trouble this week. It was quite hard, especially when I played 10 on Tuesday, we pitched a pitching wedge in the middle of the green and it ran over in the water.
Today it was pitching and spinning back, so it was a lot easier out there.
Q. We were talking with Ernie yesterday about the new generation of South African players, but what about the veteran generation? Three of you are in the top 10 today.
DARREN FICHARDT: Yes.
Q. Why is that?
DARREN FICHARDT: I don't know. I think we always travel very far away from home, and we're used to grinding and doing whatever we can do to play well and stuff. I don't know, maybe it's just all the meat we eat. (Laughter.)
Q. Just a quick history in this championship for you and where you've been playing recently.
DARREN FICHARDT: So I turned 50 last week, so this is my first -- well, my second senior event. I've been playing DP World. Been playing there, what, 26 years, playing on DP World and Sunshine Tour.
Q. So what about the contrast between that and now being a senior?
DARREN FICHARDT: I love it. About five years ago I told my wife I'm getting sick and tired of these youngsters hitting so far past me. Now all of a sudden I get there on Monday, and everyone is calling me the big dog. Yeah, it feels weird, actually. I'm still trying to get used to it.
Also all the par-5s are sort of gettable now, whereas on the regular tour, sometimes even the par-4s aren't gettable. Yeah, I'm enjoying it a lot.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports