TRUST GOLF WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN

August 13, 2021

Sarah Schmelzel

Dumbarnie Links

Quick Quotes

Q. Sarah, an unfortunate end to the second round, but a good start to the tournament so far.

SARAH SCHMELZEL: Definitely. Bogeys are going to happen out here. 18's a tough finishing hole. I was happy overall with the way I played today, and looking forward to the next two days.

Q. How different are the conditions? You went out really early yesterday, and a bit more in the afternoon today. How different is it?

SARAH SCHMELZEL: Night and day. On one of the first few holes yesterday, we had wedge in; today we hit 5-iron. So a completely different day today.

But that's what makes it fun, that's what makes links golf fun, is having to be creative and hit shots and different shot shapes and everything. I enjoined it.

Q. How different is that to the golf and the conditions that you're used to in the States?

SARAH SCHMELZEL: Oh, for sure, we never get stuff like this. If we do, we're probably getting called off the golf course.

So I think it's fun. I love to shape the ball, I love to see different shots. I think it's fun when you have different types of lies, even if you're in the middle of the fairways. This is really fun for me to be able to get creative and really focus and hone in on some shots.

Q. It's just your second time I think in Scotland, so it's great that you're not daunted by that and hopefully keep getting better in these conditions.

SARAH SCHMELZEL: Yes, definitely.

Q. This tournament, obviously the weekend ahead. What's the target you're setting for yourself, how will you approach the weekend?

SARAH SCHMELZEL: I think just make as many birdies as possible, take my medicine when I have to. Something like this could happen, it could start raining out of nowhere.

Mistakes are going to happen out here, especially if it stays windy this weekend. I think be really patient, stay in my own little bubble and try to have as much fun as possible.

Q. When you looked at the forecast that was upon you, did you expect an under-par round? I feel that's quite the accomplishment with those winds swirling today.

SARAH SCHMELZEL: Yeah, I definitely. I think you take anything around, even par, 1-over, 1-under, on a day like today and call it a great day.

Yeah, I'm really happy with the final score at the end of the day, and I think it puts me in a good spot for the weekend. And it's nice to be able to control my game when the elements are as crazy as they were today.

So very happy with the end result today.

Q. I know yesterday you said you've been trying tighten up some things coming away from Ireland as Evian as you got ready for this. What did you take away from yesterday that you wanted to improve upon today?

SARAH SCHMELZEL: Yeah, you know, just really focusing on ball flight on the range yesterday, just being able to see it come out of different windows and be able to do that on command since that's so important out here. Some of our drives were moving 20, 25 yards from where the start lines were, just with how strong the winds were.

So I struck my irons well enough yesterday where it gave me a little bit of confidence to know that I could be starting in on those, on my exact lines, and then just honed it in yesterday after the round a little bit more.

Q. Being able to go into the weekend, you're up there still on the leaderboard, though Ariya has a four-shot lead over you. At the same time, anything can happen. How will you approach this weekend?

SARAH SCHMELZEL: Yeah, I think the same way that I've approached the last two days, just stick to staying patient. Fairways and greens are great. Even if you're 30 feet from the hole, on every hole you might make a few of them and par the rest of them.

So I'm excited for the next two days. And game plan will just be to stick to what I know and see how it adds up in the end.