THE AMUNDI EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 23, 2021

Matilda Castren

Evian Resort Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Matilda Castren just said, what happened today referring to Lee6's 61. Just talk to us a little bit about what happened to you last week. You went Finland with the sole goal of winning the tournament so you could become eligible for the Solheim Cup. Of all the accomplishments you've had this year and last year, was that perhaps the biggest?

MATILDA CASTREN: It was definitely very special to me. It was extremely special to win in front of the home crowd. I mean, on the last day there were probably more than a thousand people on the 18th hole, which is a very big deal for Finland and women's golf in Finland.

So I was very impressed and honored that so many people came to watch. Yeah, to pull that win off I'm still kind of pinching myself thinking that it happened.

I'm very proud of myself and very thankful that I got it done.

Q. It's not a done deal that you'll be on the Solheim Cup. You still could make it an automatic qualifying on world rankings, but it's hard to imagine Solheim Cup without you on the team right now the way you been playing. I know Beanie is well aware of that. If you do that there will be two Finnish players, and there has never been a Finnish player on the Solheim Cup. What does that say about golf in your country and how big will that be for the fans of sport and women's sport in Finland?

MATILDA CASTREN: It would be huge. I mean, to have one and even two, I mean, that would be crazy. It would be so much fun to play with Sanna there. Golf has been big, especially in the last year because of COVID. I feel like women's golf has been trending for the last few years really.

In Finland there has been some really good finishes on the European Tour and then I got my card in 2019 and started playing well, so across the pond, both sides, we been having some really good results. It's just really good for Finland as a small country. It's good to put the flag up there.

Q. Before we get to Labor Day weekend in America at the Solheim Cup, you've got some unfinished business. Not only the fact that you're 10 back here, maybe an outside shot of coming through here, but also representing Finland in the Olympics. You're going to be on the short list of favorites because of the way you played all summer. How much are you looking forward to that?

MATILDA CASTREN: Well, I was just watching some videos from the Olympic Village and it just looks so cool, and I kind of got to like it became real that I'm leaving on Wednesday. I'll get to spend a few days in the Village and then we're staying near the course in a hotel.

But I'm very, very excited. It's a huge honor to represent Finland, and I know it's going to be a lot of fun.

Q. Dreams really do come true, don't they?

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, seems like it this year. It's been an amazing year and many more exciting things to come, so I'm very thankful.