FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, March 24th, 2018

NOTABLE QUOTES – WGC-DELL TECHNOLOGIES MATCH PLAY (QUARTERFINALS)

NBC Sports Group Notable Quotes
WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (Quarterfinals)
Austin Country Club, Austin, Texas
Saturday, March, 24, 2018

**Coverage of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Semifinal matches begins at 10 a.m. ET Sunday on Golf Channel.**

Quarterfinal Match Results:
(32) Kevin Kisner def. (58) Ian Poulter 8&6
(13) Alex Noren def. (46) Cameron Smith 4&2
(2) Justin Thomas def. (45) Kyle Stanley 2&1
(35) Bubba Watson def. (28) Kiradech Aphibarnrat 5&3

Sunday Morning Semifinal Matches:
(13) Alex Noren vs. (32) Kevin Kisner
(2) Justin Thomas vs. (35) Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson speaking with NBC Sports’ Steve Sands following his 5&3 win
Bubba Watson – “The engineers at Ping they changed the loft [on my putter]. They basically took over my putting and said ‘here’s what we’re doing for you.’ It’s been working so far. It’s been working the last couple weeks and obviously in L.A. it worked pretty good… We’re just trying to put the ball in position, play to angles. Trying to get us the best birdie chances or par chances. Because some of these hole locations are very difficult.”

On Watson
Peter Jacobsen – “The guy is an artist. The way that he paints the pictures off the tee, I think this golf course is perfect for him.”

Kevin Kisner speaking with Sands following his 8&6 win
Kevin Kisner – “He had his bad holes. I didn’t mess up, and I made a few birdies to throw in there… I think my mentality fits the format well. But I hadn’t been playing well coming into it. So I did a lot of prep this week and I’m starting to see some results out here. Finally making some birdies and gaining some confidence.”

On Kisner
Gary Koch – “He came in not playing his best, but he’s found something. We know he’s a bulldog and loves the match play format.”

Alex Noren speaking with NBC Sports’ Roger Maltbie following his 4&2 win
Alex Noren – “I felt like it could have gone either way, then I stepped it up a little bit in the end and hit better shots. That’s the key in match play, to always keep your ball in play and keep putting pressure on.”

On Noren
Johnny Miller – “I don’t think he has any weaknesses that I can see… He’s sort of got it all – good distance, good iron player and good putter.”
Koch – “There are only two players on the PGA TOUR this year that rank in the top-20 in strokes gained putting and strokes gained tee-to-green. Noren is one of them.”

Justin Thomas speaking with Sands following his 2&1 win
Justin Thomas – “I played well today but just didn’t get off to the same start as I had been… [Bubba] obviously has been showing some really good form. He’s a heck of a player… I just have to partially hope I don’t get a hot day from him… Maybe I’ll mess with him a little bit. Maybe I’ll try to get in his head. It’ll be fun. It’ll be more fun for whoever the victorious person is. But everyone is kind of staying in their own lane for the most part this week. I’ve just been trying to play to my game. I haven’t been trying to play to the opponent too much.”

On Thomas
Miller – “He plays without fear. That’s why he has a shot at being No. 1 by the end of the week.”
Jacobsen – “He always has his foot on the pedal. He’s always going forward, and he’s the hottest player on the planet.”
Miller – “You have to give him the edge [tomorrow], but this course is made for Bubba.”

-NBC Sports Group-