U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

June 4, 2021

Lexi Thompson

The Olympic Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Lexi, you've had a lot of experience in Opens. Talk a little bit about this week, this course, and what challenge it presents.

LEXI THOMPSON: Well, it's amazing. It's just an honor to be out here. I've heard nothing but great things about it and how challenging it is,so I was really looking forward to just coming into the week and seeing what all the hype was about.

It's just an amazing layout, atmosphere, everything. It's definitely challenging. You have to keep it in those fairways. The rough is up very thick. But it's a challenging golf course, and that's how all majors should be.

Q. You're obviously playing well. A lot of positive comments about your ball-striking as people have been watching on TV. What's feeling good right now?

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, well, I've just been working extremely hard on every aspect of my game. I've worked with Martin Hall quite a bit in the last few weeks. Got to see him a few times.

But my last week at home I was nonstop practicing working on my game knowing that this is the first event out of about six in a row for me. A big stretch for me, and this one being the first one. I've been just working extremely hard, but that's what it takes to be up top, so I just have to keep on improving.

Q. You posted on Instagram about how this is the hardest you've been working. Your 52nd major of your career. What motivates you to work that hard?

LEXI THOMPSON: Honestly I've always been like that. Growing up with two older brothers, always just trying to be better, on and off the golf course honestly. I've been working extremely hard on my game, on my fitness, and on the mental side, as well.

I've been working with a mental coach John Denney a bit, and just getting in a better mindset and going out there and just letting my natural habits show.

But it takes a lot of hard work and patience. Golf is a crazy game and you can never perfect it. I think that's why I think we're all crazy for playing it, but it keeps me coming back out.

Q. You said you're not trying to let golf be life or death. How did you come to that conclusion and what kind of work does it take to accept that?

LEXI THOMPSON: It takes a lot because I've always been one to be very hard on myself. That's how I grew up. That's how I always wanted to be better, and I never accepted mediocre. I think to be the best you don't want to accept mediocre, so you always have to strive to do better and keep on improving.

I don't know, it just came to me. I wasn't improving with my mindset on the golf course so I knew I had to change, and this week I've just had a lot of fun. I've made bogeys and I just let it go because it's going to happen, and just trying to have fun with my caddie out there. It was his birthday today, so I didn't yell at him.

Q. Where do you feel like you are in the process of what you have been working on? Do you feel close to being done? Are you happy with where you're at?

LEXI THOMPSON: With my ball-striking I feel definitely pretty close. It's up and down; golf can change day-to-day. You never know until you step foot on the first tee.

Short game I definitely think can improve, but that's golf. You can never have it all perfected. Just got to continue to work on everything and just enjoy the whole process as it is.

Q. How is the vibe different at a major? You've played in so many majors. How does it feel different and how restless are you to get back to winning one again?

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I mean, obviously the atmosphere is a lot different. I'm just happy that we have people out here watching, that we have a good atmosphere, fans out supporting us. Maybe the prep work going into the week, a lot more people are like grind mode and hitting a bunch of shots from everywhere, where you want to miss and everything, so a lot more prep work.

But for me, mindset is the same. You just want to take it easy when you can in the beginning of the week so you don't get just beat come Thursday. Same mindset. I want to win every time I tee it up.

Q. There's players like Lucy Li here and Megha Ganne who's doing well. You coming on the scene so young and now having the experience and wisdom, what guidance do you give teenagers who are at this level so quickly?

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, it's amazing. I got to play with a few amateurs, as well, in my practice rounds, and it's always nice to see their games and how good they are.

I'm sure as they know it takes a lot of hard work, a lot of patience. But them being out here at such a young age, playing in the Opens and they get to see the professionals' games and learn off it and even ask us questions, I don't mind at all, anyway I can help because I was in that same position.

It's just great to see them out here, and we want to inspire more and more girls to be out here and get the game even better. It's great to see, so I hope nothing but the best for every amateur out there.