COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

May 15, 2022

Carlota Ciganda

Upper Montclair Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. With Carlota Ciganda, who had herself a day on Sunday at 8 under 64. You went out in 30 on the front nine. Just walk me through those nine holes.

CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, I love the course. Yesterday hitting two birdies in the last seven holds, so I knew I was playing good, and I couldn't wait to get here this morning.

Hit a great shot into one to six, seven feet and made the putt. The par-5 I played really good this week. 3-under. I hit it on the green and 2-putt it.

And then I made some really good putts. I hit some close ones, but I think I made the ones that were a bit farther from the hole. So one of those days that I saw the hole very big, and everything was going in.

And then I made really good up-and-down on 10, great shot on 12 for eagle, then 2-putt. And then I had a few good chances on 13 for birdie, 14 for eagle, 15 didn't make it, but still hitting good putts. One bad swing on 16. Hit it to the right with the driver, but made a good 5, and then good birdie on 17, and good par on 18.

Overall, very happy with the run, with the week. And, yeah, it's fun to be up there.

Q. Shot 73 yesterday. Were you coming out here today going, you know what, I'm just going to go for broke, I don't have anything to lose?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I knew I had a low one in me. I was looking to my caddie, and I think we've been really good this week, both of us. Very connected. I told him, I think we can go low. Let's try to be the best player of the day today, and let's try to win the day. Yeah, we had a really good start, so that really helped. Yeah, a great day.

Q. What specifically was the key? Was it more ball-striking or putting for you today?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: Ball-striking has been pretty solid. I think I hit 15, 16 greens, so I think that's really good. With I think three par-5s on two, so three options for eagle.

Then my putting today was really good. I made some really good putts, which I think when you shoot these low scores, you have to make good putts.

Q. It's probably one of the lower rounds you've shot this season. Does it feel kind of like you're finally trending in the right direction the way you think you should be?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, yeah, I really need a good week, a good tournament to get some confidence, and I'm very happy it was in this tournament in the Founders Cup.

Now starting the summer with the U.S. Open in a couple of weeks and the KPMG, so I'm happy with the way I played, but I want to keep playing and still some work to do in the summer.

Q. With the major season coming up, we play, like, four majors in three months max, how are you prepping your body? How are you prepping your game for that big stretch of golf?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I always take a few weeks off, and I do like to play before a major, so I think that's what I'm going to do in the next few weeks.

I think rest is key because the year is long, but at the same time you want to peak in the summer, and I think I'm right where I want to be.

Q. How much is a tournament like this give you confidence like, hey, I'm going to go rest and work on the same things I've been working on, and I know when I show up at Pine Needles, it's going to be there?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I think when you play golf, you have to stay humble your whole life. I think when you think you have it, I think that's when you don't have it, so I think you have to enjoy the good moments, but then keep working. Yeah, keep working hard the weeks off so the body and the mind and everything is ready for the tournament weeks.