How tough is it out there at the moment? It got progressively tougher as the day went on. Towards the end of the round it was tough event to tap in. From three feet you would be buffeted around. It took a very good putt to get the ball in the hole. What is needed for tomorrow s round? You are not going to be far from the lead. One or two shots don t make much difference. The wind is going to switch and blow just as hard. The last man standing could win the golf tournament. I think it is going to be a battle. I ve gotten to know the golf course over the past couple of days. They breeze will probably shift again and I will have to relearn it. I m excited. As long as it does not get out of control and blow too hard, it is going to be a fun day to try and hit some shots. It will be my last round for the year. I d like to go out on a high note. After shooting 62 in Dubai, do you mind being a couple of shots back? You d rather take your chances up in front with the lead but there is no doubt there is less pressure on guys who are a few back. We are all surmising with the weather but if it is a calm morning, and it picks up around 10 or 11, the guys have a chance to post a good number. Question about confidence. I have been in contention quite a lot this year. I am beginning to feel comfortable with it and enjoy it, relish it. Those are good feelings. We all want that feeling. There is a difference between really enjoying it and dealing with it. There are a lot of class players in this field. There is a home course advantage. The Australian guys will be more familiar with these conditions but I definitely feel good about my chances. The first three days are all about putting yourself in position to have a good chance and I think that is exactly what I have done. Do the Australians have the advantage in the conditions? In a sense. This is something like links golf. Growing up in the UK you have to control your ball. I ve always thought Australia produces great golfers because of the conditions out here. You can t get away with much. When the wind blows like that you really need to know what you are doing, especially when the surfaces get firm and fast and test your short game. The Aussie boys will be well equipped. How is the wind affecting the course? The greens are oscillating. The 18th is the crustiest on the course. It is exposed and the wind whips across it. I had a seven-foot putt there. I tried to make a good stroke and leave it in the hands of the gods. It is that blowy. The smallest gust moves the ball. I actually hit a good putt. I looked up with a foot to go and I thought it was tracking in the middle. Then it sniped to the left. I did not see that slope there. It is very difficult. You just need to keep your head down and put as good a stroke on it as you can. Were there many tough pins out there today? Yes, seven was a really tough pin. I made birdie there, luckily. I hit the perfect shot into the upslope and it finished about 10 feet from the hole. If I d landed another yard it was through the green in the sand. I thought 17 was a very tough pin today. I was unrewarded with a very nice three iron. I don t know where it landed but it must have been front edge of the green. It just trickled through the back. I ended up making six but I was still in the golf tournament.
Author: Golf Australia