VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA LPGA TEXAS CLASSIC

July 1, 2021

Matilda Castren

Old American Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Capped it off with that great birdie on 18. How did it feel out there? It is so hot. How did you manage the conditions today?

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, it is really hot. I was just trying to go hole by hole and shot by shot and on the back nine I felt -- I mean, I wasn't dizzy but I felt like I was getting there.

So I just really trying to push through and give myself opportunities. Yeah, just tried to finish the round.

Q. You managed it very well. How did it feel last week, this week, for the first time being announced as an LPGA champion on the first tee?

MATILDA CASTREN: It feels pretty good. They no more say rookie, so it's nice to be called LPGA winner. It has a special ring to it definitely.

Q. That's awesome. How did you celebrate? Your coach told me you took the week off. How did you do that?

MATILDA CASTREN: Well, I had planned to take that week off earlier already, and I went home to San Diego, spend sometime with my boyfriend and some friends and ate really good food and practiced a little bit.

Yeah, just enjoyed the week.

Q. That's awesome. Sounds like quite the celebration. Earlier this week you were confirmed to represent Finland in the Olympics. What does that mean to you to represent your country in Tokyo in a month or so?

MATILDA CASTREN: It's awesome. I mean, it's something that I've dreamed of since I was a little girl. Since golf became an Olympic sport it was one of my goals. To be able to represent my country is a huge honor and I can't waiting to go.

Q. Missed the cut last week in your first event as an LPGA Tour winner, but bounced back with a solid round like this. Different pressure last week on yourself?

MATILDA CASTREN: I mean, I think there was less pressure because I was just playing and I didn't really have like -- I'm not like playing for my card anymore. Like I don't have to go to Q-School. Like I'm doing well in the rankings.

So I guess it was a little bit less pressure, and I feel like I get the best out of me when it's kind of a tough spot and a little more pressure.

So I was kind of like, Okay, what are your goals now that I won already? I kind of had to regroup. And I didn't hit the ball that great last week. Just didn't score well.

So I knew my game was there, it was just hiding last week. Yeah, just wanted to come here and play well and try to get another Top 10.

Q. Came out and played well today.

MATILDA CASTREN: Uh-huh.

Q. What is about Old American that you enjoy? Besides no shade.

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, there is not much shade out there. It was definitely warm. I like the layout. I like the little links style. I think the course fits well for my game.

Yeah, I managed to hit a lot of greens today and give myself a lot of opportunities. Yeah, scored well.

Q. Did you play here in December?

MATILDA CASTREN: I didn't.

Q. So you didn't get to experience the 60-degree cooler temperatures.

MATILDA CASTREN: No, but I've heard about it. I'm glad I wasn't there. I think I'll pick this one over that anyway.

Q. Warm over cold any day.

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah.

Q. Game plan? When you can put yourself if a position like this after day one, what does a championship mindset look like heading into day two to continue that?

MATILDA CASTREN: Try to keep myself cool and put myself in position. Hit good shots off the tee. Hit some greens. I mean, give myself chances for birdies. Just take it hole by hole and see what happens.