MARATHON CLASSIC PRESENTED BY DANA

July 8, 2021

Paula Creamer

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Paula Creamer who just shot a 2-under 69. Welcome back to Toledo, Paula. You had a really nice run there at the turn of four birdies in a row. You won here. Does it feel good to be back?

PAULA CREAMER: It does. Not playing last year here, not playing at all honestly for the last year and a half, this is one of my favorite spots to come to. I really like the golf course. I see it really well. I've had some good success here as well.

But it was nice to go out and shoot under par. It's unfortunate I had two bogeys on two par-5s which you just can't do, not out here. The level is too strong. To give those away was kind of a bummer, but I did make a good little run there with those birdies, so can't be too hard on myself. Lots of golf left.

Q. Tell us about those birdies, starting at No. 10. What do you on those holes?

PAULA CREAMER: 10 I hit it to about three feet.

Let's see, 11 I hit it to about seven feet, kind of behind the hole, a little right to lefter.

12 I made about a 12, maybe 15 feet. Was a good putt, kind of up the hill.

And then 13, the shorter hole, I hit it to about seven feet, I would say.

And then had a couple more looks, but just not as -- I wasn't hitting it as close as I did on those.

Q. Were you feeling in the groove today?

PAULA CREAMER: You know, I actually think I only hit two or three greens on the front side, and then just kept staying patient. I wasn't far off. I was just in the first cut, but still taking birdie chances away.

Then on the back nine kind of found my swing back, and like I said, it's unfortunate to end on a bogey, but I did have some solid golf there.

Q. Still good to see your name back on the leaderboard. You took time last year with the pandemic, but also maybe well-timed for you to get some rehab in.

PAULA CREAMER: Yeah, I feel great. My body feels really good. My left hand, I haven't had any problems with it since I've come back, which, played a lot of golf. You know, it was needed in multiple ways.

I really want to say I think for me today, my thoughts and prayers are still going out to Jane and Pete and obviously to Baby Grace. Puts things into perspective when you're out there and grinding and you know how badly -- I mean, I can't imagine what they're going through, but definitely a big perspective of when I'm out here and things aren't going my way.

I'm just sending them lots of prayers, hopefully Baby Grace can be all right.

Q. I was going to ask you about that because you've got Grace on your hat. We had Tiff up here before you. The GoFundMe has taken off. I know you've known Jane for a while.

PAULA CREAMER: Yeah.

Q. And Pete and Grace. Certainty keeping them close to your heart right now?

PAULA CREAMER: Oh, for sure. I've grown up playing junior golf with Jane and Curtis Cup partners and junior Solheim Cup, you name it. I mean, it's crazy. I was just playing with her last week and here she is in the hospital.

Everybody has been so supportive and it's great that they have that and they feel it, and I know they do. I've talked to Jane several times through all of this.

Like I said, I can't imagine what they're going through, but definitely puts a big emphasis on every moment and embrace it a it comes because you just never know right now. We're sending positive vibes to them.

Q. Just a couple Solheim Cup related questions. What do you think of the depth of American golf right now?

PAULA CREAMER: I mean, it is the deepest it's probably been I think throughout the whole tour, honestly. Used to be a couple players would have a chance to win. Now it goes much farther into the list.

But I definitely believe that it's getting stronger and stronger as the years go on for sure.

Q. What do you think has spurred that? Do you think anything in particular?

PAULA CREAMER: I don't know if there is just one thing to point out what has caused that. Everybody is a lot more fit, stronger, hit it farther, short game is great. I don't necessarily can say if it was one person that did that for everybody recently. In the past obviously it is Annika, Lorena, Yani. And right now, it's Nelly is obviously playing great golf.

But it seems like there is always a couple Americans right in the mix, which you haven't seen that for a while.

Q. As far as when you're on the fringe there of being a captain's pick, not being a captain's pick, I know you've gone through that before, what is it like just like the angst when you're getting toward the end of qualifying and then getting the phone call, Hey, I want you to be on the team?

PAULA CREAMER: It's stressful. I can say that. It is very stressful. You try not to think about when you're out there because obviously you want to focus on your tournament and how you're playing and not necessarily on -- if you play well then captain's pick or whatnot will come along with it.

But it's hard. It's easier said than done, that's for sure. But getting the call is obviously a great feeling. I've been captain's pick and I've also been first alternate and gotten pulled in from a that, too.

So I've experienced it all. But once you get there it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what point you were on that, the standings. It's your team at that point, so you just get to get there.

Q. When you get the call does it almost feel like the emotions of winning a tournament? Hey, I want you on the team?

PAULA CREAMER: A little different than that. Obviously being on the team and getting a call like that is huge. You know if you've played well and you deserve it. Winning, making a five-footer to win a tournament is a little different than the phone call, especially if you know you haven't played as well and you're just hoping to get a pick.

Yeah, I mean, when they do call you you're hoping it's good news, because it could be bad, too.

Q. Did you go undefeated one year when you were a pick, or not?

PAULA CREAMER: Uh-huh. When I was a pick I think I might have halved a match, so...

Q. How much does that, like being a pick and then making it like you made the right decision?

PAULA CREAMER: I feel like you have more pressure on yourself when you are a pick, and then even more so when you're first alternate and then being put on the team.

It's different because I've also been where you're in the top of the list as well and you know you're expected to play well and play good golf. As a pick you don't want to let your team down. You definitely want to show your team members too how hard you're fighting. That motivates them as well.

You got to know your role. That's for sure. Playing on seven of them now I kind of feel like I know that situation.

But it's going to be a great Solheim Cup this year at Inverness.

Q. First, Holly on the bag this week.

PAULA CREAMER: Yes.

Q. Great pairing there. How did that turn out?

PAULA CREAMER: Yeah, Holly, I've known her for a while, and my caddie Justin isn't able to do these next several events, so she's going to be on my bag for this one and Evian.

It's different for me, but it's great to have someone that kind of sees the same shots that she would hit as something I would hit. So that confidence behind is it really good.

I normally don't have someone read greens for me, but I had Holly look at a bunch of putts out there today, and felt really confident and comfortable with that. I think as the days go on we'll get even better with each other.

Q. Last question. Earlier Nasa went out and just lit up the course with a 61. You're maybe one of the few people who can put that into perspective as one of the people who was better than that. How hard is that to do on any course, let alone here, and what does that say about the way Nasa was playing today?

PAULA CREAMER: I mean, any time you're shooting around 60, 61, that's some good golf. Doesn't matter where it's at.

I did it too in the morning. When I shot 60 I played in the morning as well. The greens are just a little bit more receptive. Plays a little longer, but you can fly pretty much everything at the flags.

Still doesn't take away from shooting that kind of score. But this golf course fits her game really well. She's so straight, great with her wedges. She's a great putter as well.

So obviously when you're in the afternoon and you see someone that shot 10-under, you're like, oh, okay. You're already way behind. You still got to figure it out out there.