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What they said after Wentworth R1: Focused Rose playing down Ryder Cup talk

Kiradech Aphibarnat and Christiaan Bezuidenhout were the stars of the show on day one of the BMW PGA Championship while Justin Rose is lurking.

The leaderboard had plenty of international flavour after the first round of the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, was completed on Thursday.
Here's what some of the leaders and top names said:

Kiaradech Aphibarnrat (8-under 64)

"Incredible, to be honest, my putter was working very well today, a lot of good ball-striking, tee-to-green was lovely.
"I just want to come out here and enjoy every single minute that I spend on the European Tour. It feels like every time I come back it just feels like home. I feel comfortable over here. See some friends. See my coaches. And a lovely golf course. I enjoy it every time I come back to Wentworth.
"I had a really hard time the last two years playing with injury, hurting my right knee after the Masters, and then when the COVID hit I had to go back to my country (Thailand) and I was stuck in the country for eight months and couldn't play much golf."

Christiaan Bezuidenhout (8-under 64)

"I was playing solid the whole day. I was driving it well the whole day. Obviously, putter going well. Had a nice chip-in on 4 which makes my round solid. But, yeah, three birdies in a row, back-to-back par-5s to finish off, which is tricky also.
"I drove the ball lovely today, so I just kept it in play. Gave myself a chance, and the putter was good.

"I just spoke to my coach last week, and I just said everything is there. Everything with my game feels better than a year ago, but I'm not getting the scores or the results and stuff. I just keep on doing the right things, keep on doing the same things that obviously been working over the last year and stuff. So it's just a matter of staying patient out there."

Adam ScottĀ (7-under 65)

"A lot of really good, solid stuff. Generally it was fairways and greens. There wasn't too much squirrely stuff, although a couple wedges coming in, could have been better. Then on 15, I got out of jail and made an incredible 3. Nice to get a break and take advantage of it."

Justin RoseĀ (5-under 67)

"It was better than decent. That's a good score today to be honest with you. This golf course has a bit of teeth and this morning, we have had some sunny days and this morning, a bit darker and a bit more grey, and I felt like it was a little heavier and thicker with the rough in terms of the conditions. The start is pretty tricky around here, 1, 2 and 3.

"Point being, didn't feel like you rolled out of bed feeling like you played great golf. You had to work for your score today. I felt like the start of this golf course today 1, 2, 3, were playing pretty tough."

On making the Ryder Cup team: "I haven't really paid tons of attention in terms of what I have to do, I've just been trying to focus on my game and my form. That's what I'm focusing on. I can appreciate how many scenarios are still in play this week, but one of them being me winning a golf tournament and making the team outright.

"So this gives me the option to focus on something positive for the remainder of the week."

Miguel Angel Jimenez (4-under 68)

"I've played so many times on this golf course, every time I come here I always enjoy myself so much on this golf course. Especially the BMW PGA, it's in superb condition, fast fairways and things, fast greens, and you stay out of the rough, you do very well. Great golf course. I love it.
"I played very solid. I make six birdies, two bogeys. Not missing the green. All parts of my game very consistent. Good driver, good tee shots, maybe missed by one yard on the fairway but always good shots to the green. Good putts."

Francesco MolinariĀ (3-under 69)

"Yeah, pretty good. Hit the ball pretty well. Just a couple of wide tee shots but played solid. Missed a few chances but played well. Mostly on the fairway and on the green, so that's what you want to do around here.
"I just had back problems most of the year starting from May onwards until recently. So you know, it's obviously in an ideal world, we just stop playing for three months and recover fully and do all the rehab and all of that. But it's pretty hard to do in professional sports, especially after sitting out last year already. I was keen to play a little bit more.
"The main thing, it's obviously that I'm feeling better now and looking forward to the end of the year and next year."

READ MORE: After a 15-year break from the BMW PGA Championship, Adam Scott returns with a bang.

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