LPGA MEDIHEAL CHAMPIONSHIP

June 12, 2021

Matilda Castren

Lake Merced Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Matilda, you really hung in there today. Take me through the third round.

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, I just tried to make some pars and made a couple birdies, so I was like 1- or 2-under for most of the round and managed to take advantage of the par-5s and luckily birdied No. 18, so that was really nice.

Q. What do you like most about Lake Merced? Had you played this course before coming here this week?

MATILDA CASTREN: Played here once few years ago in a Monday qualifier. It was my first year as a pro, so it was a really nice experience to see what it's like to play on an LPGA course.

I really like it. It's very similar to like to Olympic that we played last week, so I feel like that was a really good prep for me coming into this week.

Q. And I know major championships there is no pressure like that, and you were able to still have a pretty decent week there as well. How much, as you said, did that help as you geared for Lake Merced?

MATILDA CASTREN: It did help a lot. I mean, the course is pretty similar. The rough is obviously not as thick as it was at the U.S. Open.

But the greens are kind of similar and the trees are the same. The layout is kind of similar, a little hilly. So it was great experience for me to finish 30th there. I was really happy about that.

Q. How much do you feel comfortable on this golf course? It's one of the difficult ones that we play during this year. To be able to come here for one of the first times and be able to be cruising along I think is a victory in itself.

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, I mean, my mentality is just try to hit the greens, and if I don't, just try to make par. I try to stay very patient here because I know it is difficult golf course and I'm not going to hit every shot perfectly.

So I just tried to keep very patient, and going into today I just figured it's a great experience for me to play in one of the last groups. No matter what happens, I'm going to be happy with myself.

Q. Playing in one of the last groups, being able to close today with that wonderful 18th hole. Take us through that final hole.

MATILDA CASTREN: I was kind of like on the left side of the fairway and I could have reached the green but the trees were kind of in my way, and I figured if I don't hit the shot I want it's going to -- I'm going to have to be saving par.

So I wanted to give myself an opportunity and just have a wedge in, and just hit a 7-iron as a layup and I had I think maybe 80 yards in to the green.

So that worked out.

Q. Definitely worked out for you. How important do you think it is to keep consistent on this golf course? Because one wrong shot I feel like could really not go your way, but at the same time, just around like a 2-under, still up there on the leaderboard.

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, I mean, I think most important thing is take advantage of the par-5s, because a couple of them are reachable. So if you make birdies there and then rest of the way you're just kind of trying to make par then kind of battle through, you're going to be in a good spot.

Q. After last week and being able to do what you did at Olympic and come here, how comfortable are you feeling in your game heading into tomorrow?

MATILDA CASTREN: I feel good. I think -- I mean, if I just keep doing what I been doing, just try to stay patient and know I'm going to hit a couple not-so-great shots here and there, just give myself opportunities for birdies, and if I miss the green, then opportunities for pars, that's what I'm going to try to do tomorrow.

Q. I know you had a fun grouping as well with Min and Jenny. All three of you guys Symetra Tour grads. What was it like? I saw a lot of smiles there on the 18th.

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, we had a really good vibe going on in the group and we were all kind of relaxed and making jokes. It was really nice. A lot of times it can be a little serious, so it was good.