LPGA Q-SERIES

December 11, 2021

Meghan MacLaren

Magnolia Grove

Press Conference

Q. Take us through your hole-in-one on 13.

MEGHAN MACLAREN: Yeah, there was a little backstop behind the pin, so the pin was in a similar position in round 1, except we were hitting 5-iron that day, but I used the backstop really well that day, so today I knew I could play past the pin and let it come back. It's kind of like slow motion watching it. Like it looks like it's getting closer, but you're never quite sure and then, yeah, it just disappeared.

Q. So choked down 9-iron?

MEGHAN MACLAREN: Yeah.

Q. How long did you two calculate it was playing today?

MEGHAN MACLAREN: I think it was like 120 to the pin and the backstop we had like 127 up to that and then a touch into the wind, so, yeah, I was just trying to play like a 127 shot and, yeah, it worked.

Q. Didn't realize your dad was on the bag this week. Does that make this kind of extra special the process for the two of you?

MEGHAN MACLAREN: I think so. I've only had one before, one hole-in-one before and he was there for that one as well, so he's the only one that's got to see both of them, so he'll claim that, I think.

Q. What was the reaction? Did he pick you up and throw you over his shoulder?

MEGHAN MACLAREN: No, it just like, Oh, it happened, like -- I've hit a lot of like good shots on the par-3s this week, but you never think that will actually happen.

Q. You finished 4-under today and are now posted at 4-under, right on the bubble, inside the cut line right now. I think that's probably a pretty stressful place to be, but what's your kind of mindset heading into the last round?

MEGHAN MACLAREN: Just got to keep, it's cliche, but just do the same thing. Like I've played a lot of really, really good golf over the past two weeks and I can like back myself to kind of perform whenever the pressure is on. Like I've had to do that last week after two rounds and even today, so just trust myself.

Q. You've been a pro since 2016, what would it mean for you to finally get that LPGA Tour status?

MEGHAN MACLAREN: It would mean a lot for me. You can't really shy away from that. Like I think now for the first time like I really truly feel like I'm ready to compete out there, so it makes you want it even more.

But like I said, you just have to keep backing yourself and what's supposed to happen will happen.

Q. What differences have you seen in yourself between years prior and this Q Series?

MEGHAN MACLAREN: I think my ball striking has come on quite a lot in the past couple years. I hit it a little bit further now which obviously helps. And then I think it's just like a trust thing. Like I spent most of my career like having doubts and like I think everyone has those, but I think I'm much better at trusting my game and being able to handle everything that happens now.

Q. We're out here and it's getting pretty windy. How different did this course play today with this much wind?

MEGHAN MACLAREN: Yeah, I think you can see the scores yesterday, it was already playing tougher yesterday compared to round 1. But I mean the scoring's still good, like everybody here can play golf. So you just have to be disciplined and make the decisions and put yourself where you need to be.

Q. I think a lot of people know you just as much for your writing as your golf. Have you, is that like something that's been really helpful for you over the past few years to kind of get more into that side of yourself to kind of release everything off the golf course?

MEGHAN MACLAREN: Yeah, I mean, I think it helps me like in general, like you said, just kind of process my thoughts and stuff. Obviously like it's, I think it's made me a lot more comfortable with myself, like as I've connected with more and more people I feel like a lot of athletes feel like they have to be a certain way to succeed and I think it brings hope to me to understand that I can just do what makes me happy and be who I am in all those different areas and like they can all connect together. So it's definitely helped me grow like that.