LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

February 5, 2022

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard

Crown Colony Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, Pauline, take me what the last three days have been like for you.

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: It's been intense, to be honest. I learned a lot from last week and I really wanted to change a couple things for this tournament.

I didn't want to play with -- you know, I didn't want to hold back anything, so I just literally was playing like last round every day, because I tend to, you know, just play with like -- be more free on the last rounds.

So, yeah, I changed that and it was a very satisfying week. Obviously there is still a lot to learn from it because it's not perfect, so just an amazing week and great work for the next, you know, couple weeks to get ready for the next couple tournaments.

Q. What's it like for you to be able to see kind of the fruits of your labor come to fruition with a result like this?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: It feels nice. It feels really nice. To be honest, really happy the way I played, handled the pressure, because I was stressed a little bit, especially that last round.

I knew how I wanted to behave, and then I struggle with my chipping, and it's been a tendency a little bit, so I'm going to definitely learn from that and then go back stronger with better short game, that's for sure.

Q. And this is only your second event as an LPGA Tour rookie. Do you feel like you're getting -- I know it's only two events in 2022 -- but do you feel a little bit more comfortable? I feel as if it's shown on the course.

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Yes, definitely, especially my first tournament was, you know, getting to know where I'm at, and then I saw last week where I could be with not a very perfect game.

But I played okay, and then this week I really wanted to go for it. I mean, it paid off, so I'm really glad about it.

Q. What will you take away? There is going to be a little bit of a break before we see you next. What will you take away from this week as you prepare for the rest of the season?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: What do you mean take away?

Q. What are some of the things about your game? What will you be focusing in on? How proud are you of the way you were able to play this week?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: I think I'm going to definitely keep practicing the way I've practiced, especially with my wedging and long irons. I think it's been great; same for longer shots.

I'm definitely going to work a little bit more on my chipping because I'm a player who takes a lot of greens, so I don't get to chip that much under pressure. I think I'm going to try to, you know -- try to practice with more pressure, so it's going to be difficult obviously because you never have the same conditions as during tournaments.

But definitely going to work on that chipping a little bit and some variety and different shots.

So, yeah. Just keep doing what I do and a bit more chipping I guess.

Q. You mentioned the pressure word. Where out there did you start to feel the pressure? Was it from the first tee? A little bit into the round? Were you looking at the scoreboard to see where you were?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: To be honest, I didn't see the scoreboard until 16. I didn't know where I was at, so not especially at the very beginning. It was more kind of in the middle because I had a couple clutch putts that I had to make, and then I genuinely feel the pressure in my arms. I get tense a little bit and I struggle breathing a little bit, so I just, you know, make myself aware that I need to take a deep breath and just, you know, relax because it's just golf.

Q. So one more. You going to celebrate? This is a good week for you.

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Yes.

Q. How do you celebrate? What do you do next?

PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Well, one of my -- I was rooming with a friend, another Frenchy this week and my caddie and my coach, so we're going to go to Top Golf tonight. Just enjoying and then I'm going to go back to France for a little bit with my family and, yeah, say cheers with them. (Laughter.)