VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA LPGA TEXAS CLASSIC

July 3, 2021

Paula Reto

Old American Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Take me through today. I see four birdies on the scorecard including a pair down the stretch.

PAULA RETO: Yeah.

Q. I would imagine when you can birdie 16 and 17 and make a nice par on 18 that has to give you some good feelings going into the final round.

PAULA RETO: Yes, for sure. You know, there was a couple putts that didn't drop sort of the back nine, and I just kept in it. Just keep putting good lines.

Yeah, unfortunately the bunker here so I just said, Hey, play to the big part of the green and I made a good two-putt. So I feel good for tomorrow. Just going to do the same thing, same routine.

I've had afternoon every day, which is nice. Technically worked out that I was afternoon because I was supposed to be morning because of all the rain, so it was good. It's the same routine.

Q. So you kind of got the nice draw.

PAULA RETO: Yes, for sure. I was really lucky.

Q. On 17, that's the Aon Risk Reward hole this week.

PAULA RETO: Yeah.

Q. So you had a birdie today. Hopefully get another one tomorrow. What is the strategy for you on that hole?

PAULA RETO: Yeah, so just depends on my drive. Every day I kind of went a little bit far right so I couldn't really go for it, or just didn't want to risk it. So just sort of a three-shot hole for me.

So we'll see tomorrow what drive I have. If I have somewhere, 220 or something, I'll go for it, yeah.

Q. Then the winds were out of the east today.

PAULA RETO: Yeah.

Q. And usually there is a lot of the wind here.

PAULA RETO: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Q. But it's been pretty quiet this week until today. How was that challenging, was it challenging, and how did you adjust to that?

PAULA RETO: Yeah, yeah, because some of the pins were tucked so I had to play a little bit either right or left it because of the wind. You just never know if the wind is going to carry the ball too far and get short-sided.

So definitely different than the first two days. I managed and we had some good clubs and just kind of committed to my number.

Q. When you can play in a group with a past champion of this event and you go toe to toe with her and you shoot the same number and kind of hold your own ground, how much confidence does that give you?

PAULA RETO: Yeah, you know, that's good. I just try to like -- when I play with somebody's that's so accomplished, I try to learn from them, see what I can better myself at, and just sort of enjoy the moment. Because obviously I haven't been playing much with people that's won as many times, so I just try to learn and enjoy it.

Q. Jin Young is at 14 right now, but you put yourself in position to make a good Sunday run.

PAULA RETO: Yeah.

Q. At least maybe a Top 5, Top 3.

PAULA RETO: Exactly.

Q. Do you feel like your game is in a position where you can find another low number tomorrow and continue to climb?

PAULA RETO: I'm definitely going to try. I'm just going to try to give myself as much opportunities as I can like today, and then just hope the putts fall.

I feel like on these type of greens you need to read the greens perfect, speed that kind of thing.

So some good commitment on my lines and we'll hope for the best.

Q. Is there some relaxation knowing that tomorrow is kind of a normal day after all the craziness we've been through? You had a nice draw, but is it nice to know that tomorrow you can sleep in a little bit and it's not quite as crazy?

PAULA RETO: I think so. I think so. Yeah. Well, I've been -- had a good routine in the morning, so maybe I'll go for a coffee somewhere and enjoy the late afternoon round. It's been a while like to be in the final grouping or one of the final groupings, so it's nice.

Q. Have you found a coffee spot around here?

PAULA RETO: Yeah, there is a place. I've been to it a couple times. I forgot the name, but it's good. I enjoy like a vanilla latte or something.