HONDA LPGA THAILAND

May 7, 2021

Patty Tavatanakit

Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course

Press Conference

Q. All right, everyone, welcome inside the virtual media center here at the Honda LPGA Thailand. Pleased to be joined by Patty Tavatanakit. Patty, take me through what just happened on 18.

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: You know, my driving wasn't the greatest today, a little bit off, but I feel like I just ignored the fact that I have to make it perfect and play from wherever I hit.

Didn't really hit a good drive off 18 and then just kind of forgot about it, don't let it bother me and move on to the second shot, which was pretty good actually.

It was 246 to the hole and probably like 210 to the front, so I was just trying to hit the front number and I hit a really good shot. It came on the really hot, which is a little bit of low spin into that soft ground and a little bit of an up slope. Just the perfect shot.

Q. You started off really hot with four birdies in your front nine. What do you think really got the momentum started for you?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Probably No. 2. Again, didn't hit a great drive. It was good enough to leave myself in a good position, but I feel like hit that shot off the rough and it rolled to 12 feet and I made that putt. Just kind of kept my round going.

Q. It's very different that we don't have the crowds here. When that chip in went in on 18 there and you got to hear some the people super happy, what did that feel like for you?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Feels good. I mean, it feels good to play that hole really good in front of my parents, too. A little bit of motivation there.

Q. Was there anything different about yesterday's round to today's round that you really learned from?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: You know, yesterday was probably a perfect day of ball striking, but today wasn't. Just goes to show that no matter how not perfect you are, you can still manage to get yourself together around the course to shoot low scores.

Q. That's exactly what you were able to do today. Only one bogey through 36 holes here. When you say right now that maybe my ball striking isn't where I want it to be, how much confidence does it give that you you're able to play to this level when you feel you're not at your best?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I feel like it's around like 75 to 80%. My irons have been phenomenal since last week, and I think that's a huge part of my success so far.

But off the tee here and there it's a driver, and there are more error to it with like more dispersion. My pattern is okay. Every ball is in play. It's not like I hit some weird shots.

I still feel confident going into the weekend.

Q. You're 7-under on the par-5s so far this week. What's led you to so much success on them so far?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: A lot of it is I can get it there in two, and yesterday I basically made all birdies. They play like a par-4 for me. I think that was the most important part of playing par-5s.

But at the same time, I got to execute. My execution for second shots for par-5 today wasn't the greatest. It was not as good compared to yesterday, but it was still good.

But if I keep doing that this weekend I think I'll be in a good position.

Q. The 64s you've shot are your second lowest career rounds on the LPGA Tour. You were mentioning your iron play is different this week. What's the difference in your iron play to let you go so low consistently so far?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I just miss in the right spot; look at the fatter side of the green and try to hit it there. I mean, I want to be aggressive when I need to, but if anything, strategy comes first. You always, always want to put yourself in a good position around the green.

That's important.

Q. I have to ask, you were paired up with Atthaya. What was it like going toe to toe with someone like yourself, who is a young up and coming Thai star?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I feel like I played with her so many time, especially here, too, because we were on the same team. We played here together so many times that I treat it like another round with her, if anything.

She is an amazing player. Like just watching her play just makes me so proud of like younger Thai players that they're building themselves, their game, to reach the highest level they can be.

So I'm just really happy with that.

Q. What will you focus on heading into tomorrow's round again at the top of the leaderboard?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I feel like I've been feeling pretty light and nothing really goes in my head, nothing is really going on. I just feel like if I'm able to do that throughout the weekend, I'll be in a good position.

Yes I want to win, I want to play well, but the outcome is something I can't control. I'm just going to do my best, try my best, and whatever outcome it is, I'll be happy.

I'm already so proud of myself for shooting low scores for two rounds.

Q. When you were able to eagle on the 18th you tied the tournament 36-hole record. What kind of confidence does an eagle on the final hole give you heading into tomorrow?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: You know, with that putt there was a lot break to it and downhill. I just feel like I been judging the line and the speed really good for the past two days. I feel like that's really important going into the weekend, because it's not going to be easy.

Again, just like ANA. I'm up in the leaderboard and same as here, it's not going to be an easy round. I still have to pedal and treat every shot the same.