“What do you remember from these first two laps and your provisional 15th place?
From an accounting point of view I am rather happy because I am placed for the weekend. I made a good start in the tournament, I am only 3 strokes from the podium for the moment. My goal is to be as close as possible to the lead or the podium nine holes from the goal because there are plenty of birdie opportunities on this course. For the moment, I am rather in the right rhythm, I am placed and even if everything was not perfect, it is still all good.
What part of your game is not giving you full satisfaction?
Overall my game is pretty good, I’m in a good dynamic. I feel that I can put better play. Because as soon as I find the fairways, I put myself in a birdie position, especially as I putt pretty well. So I’m going to make sure to improve this sector for the last two rounds because I feel that it can play really lower. I have a lot of fun on this course which is very pleasant. It is a magnificent course maintained in a remarkable way. We are really spoiled for these Olympics, the greens are exceptional. I even wonder if these are not the fastest greens I have played this year. The course also has a very American side, you don’t feel particularly in Japan, except when you eat in the players lounge (laughs).
“We are really spoiled for these Olympics, the greens are exceptional. I even wonder if these are not the fastest greens I have played this year ”
Are the fairways so tricky to find on this Kasumigaseki Country Club track?
It’s quite narrow yes, and then you really have to give the right effects to the balls depending on the direction of the holes. It is not easy and I am not ultra-tuned either. But if I manage to ignore the dangers a little more and commit my punches, it can be much better.
How did you feel on Thursday at the start of the 1 when your name was announced to launch your Olympic tournament?
It was a beautiful moment that I will remember for a long time. It made me dream of representing France at the Olympic Games. And I really vibrated. I think we remember his first Olympics all his life. Playing under the colors of France always offers a little extra soul. So yes, this departure of the 1 was a great moment.
Does the absence of an audience make this Olympic tournament a little strange?
There isn’t a huge atmosphere, that’s for sure, due to the absence of an audience. It’s a shame, moreover, because given the Japanese enthusiasm for golf, we would have sold out every day. But that does not mean that we do not find motivation. I believe that all the players present are totally focused on the medals. We can feel a lot of involvement from everyone on the course. It’s a little different from other tournaments elsewhere.
You shared your first laps with Carlos Ortiz who is at the top of the table, what has he done so well to be at the forefront?
He put on tons of putts! He putts really well and was super precise on his attacks on the greens. On these perfect greens, when you are settled and a little warmed up, putts can fall all over the place. Carlos took advantage of it. It was interesting to share my game with two players who were warming up. Guido Migliozzi played -6 today and that proves to me that it is possible because they did not do anything exceptional. They are well placed, they hit the right shots at the right times and it pays off quickly on this course. I feel that a low score is possible this weekend. “
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