THE AMUNDI EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 20, 2021

Maria Fassi

Evian Resort Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Maria Fassi at the Evian Championship. It's got to be a great feeling to be back here. How are you right now.

MARIA FASSI: It's great. I mean, I think everybody is just happy to be back. The golf course is looking good. I know they've had quite a bit of rain in the last few weeks, but I think overall it's very good. The greens were good. Just very excited with the opportunity to play at another major, and compete at the highest level with the best in the world.

Q. I know this is a really special place on so many levels for you. What makes this such a special playing to come back to?

MARIA FASSI: I just love the people. I think they -- and especially after not having this last year -- they're all just very excited for all to be here, they're excited to host us.

I'm very close with the Evian people and Rolex and everybody that puts this tournament together, so for me, even more it's a good week and I get to see some good people and friends. I mean, who doesn't love getting to look at Lake Geneva? And I think it really puts a lot of things into perspective.

Just very happy to be here.

Q. Absolutely. I know you had the knee issue a couple weeks ago. Still getting that resolved. How are you feeling now as you start the week?

MARIA FASSI: Yeah, I think that the knee is coming along nicely. I think I'm getting more comfortable and trusting that it's going to be okay and that it's not going to break again.

But feeling good. I mean, I've had a couple good practice days already and excited for the pro-am and just for the week to start. I think it's a good golf course, and it suits my eye off the tee. So just, yeah, happy to get started and hopefully it's a good week for us.

Q. What does that mean for the uneducated golfer? I mean, suits your eye off the tee. That's one of those things you hear, but...

MARIA FASSI: Yeah, a lot of holes I think you have to move the ball left to right, and that's what I feel most comfortable with.

So the holes just a sign for that fade, so I think for me, it's just aiming left and trusting that the ball is began come back. I been working on that.

I think there is courses that make it harder, but this one is not one of them. I think this one allows for me to kind of aim left and swing down that line and let to come back and be good.

Q. Good. You had a fun week last week playing with Stacy. What was that like?

MARIA FASSI: It was great. I mean, I think I learned so much from her. I think I grew up a lot. I mean, as a person, as an golfer. It was pretty cool to see how she plays the game, why she does certain things, and I mean, I asked her a million questions from what it is that she does on practice rounds sure what is she looking for, to why she's hitting some of the shots she was or why -- yeah, she plays the way she plays.

And kind of hearing the reasoning behind to ask ever and seeing the results she's had, I think it makes a lot of sense, but also is something that I think I can relate to and also make it my own with -- I mean, I think my distance and my aggressive play are always going to be a part of me and I don't think I need to shy away from that.

I need to embrace that that's how I play the game, but also be smarter on some other areas and know when to use it and when to hold back.

Q. Last question. This is a long stretch. We have this, so many events, the Olympics in there. How are you mentally, physically preparing for the challenge of next few weeks?

MARIA FASSI: Yeah, it's going to be quite the next few weeks. But again, I think it's just pretty exciting that I'm in this pickle that I'm having to even worry about all these things. I get it represent Mexico one more time and do it in the Olympics.

I don't think to get much better than that. I'm just excited. I mean I'm going to make sure that I'm taking care of my body, taking care of my emotional state as well, and taking time off and doing things that make me happy outside the golf course.

Just enjoying every second I get out here on the course and seeing the places that golf has taken me, it's pretty cool. Just very grateful with the opportunity.

Q. What does make you happy outside the golf course?

MARIA FASSI: Well, here it's pretty easy. Even in the my hotel on the balcony and just staring at the lake or going on walks. You can read a book by the lake. Being outside. My family coming this week, so be good to see my parents as well. The little things.

I mean, I think at the end of the day with how much travel and how much everything we do, it comes down to all the little things of a good book or a good spot to meditate or something like that.

And then of course here and there a good show to watch at night.