• World Wide Technology Championship
  • World Wide Technology Championship
  • November 2-8, 2026
    El Cardonal at Diamante Cabo San Lucas
  • PGA TOUR Official Event
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        From the Media Center

        Round 1 Interview: Sami Valimaki


        Q. For Sami Valimaki, hit 14 of 14 fairways, 18 of 18 greens, those are stats we love to see. How were you able to do it?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: Yeah, I mean, I feel like I've been struggling a little bit off the tee, so right now today it was a bit easier to hit the fairways, so I could use my putter and strong irons so I feel like now we pull it off.

        Q. Currently 103 in the FedExCup Fall standings. What's been your biggest area of focus during this fall?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: I don't know. I mean, just struggling. I feel like this game of golf, just have to (inaudible.) We'll see how it's going to go.

        Q. Bogey free, what was clicking for you?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: Off the tee I was really good. I mean, irons, putting. I mean, when you play 61, pretty much whole game's good.

        Q. Mentally, was it kind of nice coming to Mexico, somewhere where you performed very well earlier in the season? Kind of nice to come back to a place like this?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: Yeah. Actually, I don't know what is clicking in Mexico, but I think we should play more over here.

        Q. You've had some great success in Mexico. Do you have any reason why?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: I mean, nice food, nice people and it's warm. I enjoy it.

        Q. What was the birdie you were most happy with today?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: I would say No. 2 and No. 3. I three-putted kind of (inaudible) the opportunity on No. 1 and then striped it inside two feet and then made the long one on No. 3. I feel like those two get my momentum going.

        Q. What's the pressure like being 101 coming in this week?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: I mean, it's not the best pressure but it's how it is. At least I made my card back in Europe so at least I have something over there, so I feel like that gives you a little extra freedom. Of course you want to play here, but just have to play good these last three.

        Q. Do you plan to play the next two as well?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: Yeah.

        Q. Any changes with your driver or approach to driving?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: I did it already in Tokyo but it didn't work out over there. I feel like this, today was better. And then actually changed my 60 to 58 and took the old putter back. A few changes.

        Q. Can you give me the model of the old putter?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: Just two-ball (inaudible).

        Q. And you mentioned you've been struggling but you missed a lot of cuts in a row. What has been the struggle there? What's been holding you back?

        SAMI VALIMAKI: I've been just terrible off the tee and then haven't made any putts. When you do that, it's impossible to compete against the best players.
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