LPGA Q-SERIES

December 3, 2021

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard

Magnolia Grove

Quick Quotes

Q. So we'll start there, 5-under 67. I know it was kind of probably a slower start than you would've wanted yesterday on the Falls course, but came out here and showed up.

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Uh-huh.

Q. Played well today. What was working so well?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Well, at first it was a slow start as well because I had a three-putt probably 12 feet right on the 3rd hole, and I was still pretty far from the pins and not put putting very good.

And then, I don't know, I just got closer to the pin way more often. Just like below -- I'm trying to speak in feet, so below six feet, twelve feet all the time. So it helped obviously.

What really helped is that I had 18 greens in regulation. Unfortunately two three-putts, but, I mean, it's -- so that's what worked really good, long game, and I think I can still improve putting.

But, yeah, long game and driving. Driving was very accurate.

Q. For you, 18 of 18 greens, I don't think you hear that a lot. Have you done that a lot?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: I'm usually a player that hit a lot of green in regulation, but usually stays around like 16, 17; 18 is quite rare, even for me. (Laughter.)

So I'm like, Well, it's something good and I'll just remember that but just keep grinding if I need it to keep improving, just, yeah, just in case.

Q. Those four holes you rattled off four birdies in a row. What was the mindset there? Just keep trying to make another, keep trying to make another?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: No. To be honest, it was just like live the moment. I actually told my caddie on 17, I was like, Hey, I'm 6-under. I didn't realize. I thought I was 4- or 5-under, so I was totally lost in terms of what the score was.

I was just trying to really focus on routines and the energy I wanted to put in each shot, and so I guess -- I mean, it worked out, so, yeah.

Q. So are you still playing happy golf? Still having a good time?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Yeah. I'm trying to, yeah.

Q. How much different does the Crossing course play than the Falls course? Obviously you saw it a little bit better out here today.

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Yeah, the greens are a little bit flatter so it helps obviously, but it's shorter in general. Since we played at 7:30 or 7:50 in the morning we couldn't reach the two par-5s because it was pretty cold, it was long to play.

But then I guess, yeah, it's just more wedges, 9-irons into the green, and I could reach the two par-5s in two so it helped obviously.

So, yeah, a little bit shorter and flatter greens.

Q. Obviously this is a two-week sprint, but now you're in the mix to medal in the first week.

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Yeah.

Q. How good does it feel to have the cushion of firing a good round and giving yourself some room?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Well, it helps because I really want to work on my energy, especially after yesterday. I guess it's just -- I mean, there is still a long way and it just -- it's just nice to see that I can go low and that the game is here and I just have to work on tiny details.

And so, yeah, I guess it feels good, but at the same time I'm just very patient and aware that it's a marathon. So...

Q. Mindset heading into the weekend?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Just same: Happy me. (Laughter.) Happy player.