Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (October 21, 2013) – After winning the 60^th Aberto do Brasil in a sudden-death playoff only four days after turning 30, Florida’s Ryan Blaum spoke to our media team about becoming the first two-time winner this season on NEC Series-PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

Q. Well Ryan, you started the day in position, as one of four co-leaders, and you ended up holding this trophy. How does it feel?

Blaum: It feels fantastic! I stayed patient again today, like I did yesterday. I think I was 1-over through six and then I birdied three holes in a row, 7 through 9, and that was really big for me today. I played solid on the back, could have gotten a few more, but I did what was necessary and I was able to get fortune in the playoff.

Q. On the final stretch you made birdie on 17 to open a two-shot lead. I seemed as if you had already clinched the title with one hole left to play in regulation.

Blaum: I mean he (Alan Wagner of Argentina) made a great stretch on the back. He birdied like 10, 12, 13 and 14. You know, Alan played fantastic and I knew I needed to make something happen. He was in trouble on 17 and I was able to take advantage. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the (birdie) putt (on the last) after he made an amazing eagle. Alan played fantastic and all the credit goes him too.

Q. You are the first two-time winner this season and now you are ranked second in the Order of Merit, not that far behind the current No. 1.

Blaum: Well, the goal is to catch José (de Jesús Rodríguez from Mexico). He had a great spring and he deserves that No. 1 spot right now. (I just need to) keep playing solid and whatever happens the rest of the year happens, but you know, I’m really happy with the way I’m playing right now.

Q. So, now it’s two wins in your last three PGA TOUR Latinoamérica starts. You also had a wins in the United States last July and made one cut in three PGA TOUR starts during the summer. How do you like your year so far?

Blaum: I’ve had a really good year. I almost made the Web.com Tour playoffs through my play on the PGA TOUR this summer and then I had that one victory on the NGA Tour, which is a good Tour on the States side, but to win two out of three here on this Tour, where there is great competition, great fields every week, you know I feel honored to win.

Q. You have won several other titles and this is your second here on this Tour. Where do this one ranks?

Blaum: This one was a lot of fun. That’s for sure. You know, it’s a very unique golf course that I had a blast playing. It’s short but it’s very difficult. You are up and down on these mountains and along the coast on the beach. The scenery is amazing. You are hitting towards these mountains and you know every shot here is unique and every shot is stressful out here, because of the way this golf course is. It’s not easy. It’s kind of like a golf course you see in a calendar and I had a lot of fun playing this week.

Q. Finally, you won on your birthdate week. You turned 30 on Wednesday.

Blaum: Don’t remind me that (laughs). I don’t feel 30, but on Wednesday I turned 30. I was sad to be away from my friends and family for it, but this is a very good present.