SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ACER

October 2, 2021

Patty Tavatanakit

Seaview, A Dolce Hotel

Quick Quotes

Q. We're joined by Patty Tavatanakit after a 6-under par 65 in the second round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer. Patty, you sit at 9-under par overall. Solo third. Final pairing tomorrow. How exciting is it to put together a round to launch you into this spot?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I feel like coming into this week I didn't really see myself being in this position. Just regarding how I feel about my game last week and coming in, I been working a lot on my putting. My stroke got a little bit off last week, so my focus was mainly on that.

And apart from that I feel like I was a little more confident out there this week. Just past two rounds I kind of knew I had it in me. Just literally just play golf and not worry about anything else.

Q. What sparked the confidence? Was it just telling yourself that you can do it? Was it tweaking the game?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: A little bit of both. I feel like I talked myself into being in a good position mentally, and I also did enough work to feel comfortable to be able to think that, too.

Q. You showed a lot of people what you're made of this year. You get to go up against the No. 2 and No. 3 in the world tomorrow. Is that the type of position you expect to see yourself in, or at least want to see yourself in every week?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I wouldn't want to use the word "expect," but seeing myself up there a lot, being in contention, it's always a good feeling. You always walk out of the week feeling somewhat better about yourself.

So really glad that I put myself in that situation again and if anything happens it will happened -- like I can't really control the outcome. I'll just go out there and have that confidence feeling within myself, and I think I'll be able to do something.

Q. You had a bogey-free showing today. Not to get too far ahead, but would you imagine another performance like today will be needed tomorrow?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I think so. I was thinking since I'm two back I would say 4- or 5-under tomorrow would put myself in a really good position, because I know how good they are.

No pressure, no expectations. I'm just going to go out there and play golf, and hopefully I get up to where I think I should be.

Q. Now that you are a winner on tour, what kind of mentality do you have overnight into tomorrow? What's the process look like for you knowing what you have accomplished out here?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Just focusing on myself, you know, not thinking too much about, okay, I have to get my second wind tomorrow or think about I have to win this.

Just go out there and play golf. And really I want to enjoy it more, because couple times I been in contention and I tried too hard and I tried to force things to happen and I didn't really enjoy it.

So tomorrow the goal so just to go out there and enjoy it. I've never played with Inbee and I'm really excited to play with her.

Q. Last one I have for you: As grinding of a game as golf is, when you can play against two of the best in the world tomorrow, does that reenergize you for a final round after a grueling two days?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: For sure, a little bit. But I tell myself to keep in mind, stay focused. I was really focused for the past two rounds. I haven't really felt that intensity on the course in a while.

I feel like it got me back to a good momentum going into, you know, last couple weeks of the season.