LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

February 3, 2022

Madelene Sagstrom

Crown Colony Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, you're one of the lowest rounds of the afternoon as the groups start coming in. What was it like out there, especially in the afternoon that maybe differentiated from the morning tee times?

MADELENE SAGSTROM: Well, I think it firmed up a little bit. The greens are phenomenal, so I think they probably -- I mean, it's tricky. Like the end stretch here on back nine is really tricky.

I know the wind has been keeping up all day, so I think maybe just a bit of firmness. Other than that, I think it's been quite similar for everyone today.

Q. Also a couple players that have come off talked about the changing winds. Did you feel that at all through your round today, and did that hurt or help on some of the holes?

MADELENE SAGSTROM: Well, I had the mindset probably the first five, six holes were going to play one way, and then they kind of switched a little bit.

But then we just committed to what we had on the weather app, so we just went for that and so far so good.

Q. Exactly. Talk about this front nine here. String of birdies that you had. How comfortable were you feeling and what was working so well?

MADELENE SAGSTROM: Well, I think there is actually a little bit of different character on the front nine and back nine here. The front nine suits my eye a little bit better and not as tight off the tee box. I can just whack my driver as hard as I want to.

But I hit some really good putts. The speed on the greens really suits my eye and I just love that roll that you can get out here, so I gave myself some good chances.

I could reach a few par-5s. Just kind of got a little bit of momentum.

Q. I know you're on the opposite coast, but you reside in Florida. Do you think you have some sort of advantage being able to practice in conditions that are similar to this?

MADELENE SAGSTROM: Yeah, I would say so. I mean, I'm used to bermuda. I would think that's probably the biggest thing. I know the rough isn't really an issue this week because it's quite nonexistent.

But I think I would say a little bit of grain on the greens. You got to get used to the grass. I know we can get some windy days, too, so I haven't practiced too much of that off-season, so I was like, Can I just hit it low? He goes, yeah, okay. We kind of just played it normal and just hoped for the best.

Q. Are these first couple events more like getting the rust off as much as possible? I know you've talked about a little bit of travel you did over the off-season and kind of being able to work on what you wanted to work on at the end of last year.

MADELENE SAGSTROM: Right. I think the first few are kind of how was the off-season, where are you at, like what do you really need to put some emphasis on, especially for me. I mean, I had some really good weeks. I spent Christmas in America, so I have had time to work on my game.

But now it's kind of like, Okay, did it work? Did it not work? What can I do when we really start going? It's a nice stretch because we're playing three. Body is starting to feel it, brain is starting to feel it. But get a little bit of break and then we're at it again.

Q. When you see so many low scores in the morning wave, what are you looking at, or do you look at that before you tee off or while you're out there? When this morning wave a finished and there are so many...

MADELENE SAGSTROM: Well, I didn't really have time to look too much. I looked at my -- well, Jaye Marie, my boyfriend works for her so I looked at her score. I mean, you just you know what it's -- I figured this was going to be pretty low scoring course when we got here. It's pretty accessible if you play well.

So it's not -- if you don't play well you can get in a lot of trouble, but if you hit the shots that you need to you're going to score well out here.

Q. What are some of the things that you took away from today that you hope continue with you going into Friday?

MADELENE SAGSTROM: Well, I worked for years, but especially this off-season I worked a lot on getting more consistent in my contact. I think today being able to pull off some shots into the wind when it's kind of that, it really brings out worst tendencies in my swing, so I really bring that with me.

I worked really hard, especially these last two weeks of improving my contact during tournaments. That's actually worked out, so I'm really happy with that. I think that's really what's helping me put myself in good positions.

So I know if I get my putter hot I putt well, so it's more about keeping the ball alive and getting close on the greens.

Q. We're not really used to having a 54-hole event this early in our seasons. For you, how important is it to know you came out to such a strong start with only two rounds left?

MADELENE SAGSTROM: Well, I mean, we're just happy to play golf. This was a late event for us, so we're just happy to be out playing our third week in Florida.

It's good because sometimes we play courses where you have to shoot low. You have to come off hot here to be able to give yourself a chance for Saturday.

I think it's good. It's good to practice all different kinds of conditions and all these kind of different tournaments and mindsets.