BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

May 24, 2022

Matilda Castren

Shadow Creek

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, here with Matilda Castren before the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play presented by MGM Rewards.

Matilda, you said you just came off a long nine holes. Tell me, how did you find the course today and the conditions?

MATILDA CASTREN: Well, first of all, it's really hot out there. It was probably like close to 100 degrees and the course is firming up pretty nicely.

The greens are tough to hold even with wedges, and especially coming out of the rough. So it's definitely playing pretty tough in the afternoons.

It was, like I said, a long nine holes, but I had a great group. We had a lot of fun. The guys played actually really well, so it wasn't a lot of work for me thankfully. Yeah, I really enjoy the course. It's playing pretty tough. Greens are quite small and very slopey, so it's going to be tough to hit some of the tucked pins.

Q. This is your first time at Shadow Creek, correct?

MATILDA CASTREN: Yes.

Q. It's very exclusive. How do you find it? Was it what you expected it to be?

MATILDA CASTREN: I think it's better than what I expected. I mean, I expected a great golf course and I think it's exceeded my expectations.

It's so exclusive. I've heard so many great things. It's a tough track. I think it's great for match play, so I'm really enjoying myself.

Q. And how do you think playing on a course like this is going to prepare you for the Open next week?

MATILDA CASTREN: Well, I'm assuming the greens are going to be pretty firm there as well, so I think it's going to be a great preparation. Going to be a lot of golf this week. Going to be probably hotter than next week, so I think it might feel a little nicer getting to Pinehurst, not quite as hot as here.

But overall I think it's great preparation going into the U.S. Open.

Q. As I mentioned this is your first Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play, but not your first match play event. You've played in a match play before we know at Solheim, which is your most recent. Tell me, how does it feel compared to Solheim, this match play environment?

MATILDA CASTREN: Well, I feel like the biggest difference is you can play a little bit more aggressive because it doesn't matter if you have a high score, because it doesn't carry over for the next hole or the remainder of the round.

So you can kind of get rewarded with that and get some birdies, and yeah, I mean, it's -- I think it's totally different than stroke play, especially on this kind of course.

Yeah, I really enjoy playing match play. I grew up playing match play a lot and then obviously Solheim last summer was so much fun and I had such a great experience.

So I was actually really bummed out last year that I didn't make this event. I mean, I heard so much about the course, about everything that's going on, and the hospitality, it was so amazing last year. And, I mean, now I know why people were raving about this tournament.

So I'm really excited to be here and play this match play event.

Q. And as we said, you played in Solheim last year. Do you ever think about the Solheim coming up in 2023 when you're at an event like this? Are you looking to show off your match play skills?

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, I mean, it's still kind of far away, but I know every match play is important. It'll count for our record, so I'm sure the captains are looking at the scores this week and looking at the leaderboards.

Obviously I want to do well for my own sake, but also looking at Solheim in '23. I'm really excited and looking forward to the week.

The format is a little bit different. I never played the round robin before, but I'm excited to see how I do.

Q. Yeah. I know this tournament isn't a team environment like Solheim, but how are you preparing differently than you would for any other tournament or for Solheim?

MATILDA CASTREN: Well, it's all about me. I don't have a teammate here so I just have to prepare my own game and think what's the best for myself. Like thinking about the practice rounds and the pro-ams and when to rest and like eating and all that kind of stuff.

So I don't have the team to back me up here, but I can just do my own thing and prepare myself for the week.

Q. You're basically right at a year since your big win last year in San Francisco. So much has happened for you over the last year. When you look back to where Matilda was a year ago, what's changed for you not just the win and LET membership and Solheim Cup, but you as a golfer, as an athlete, what have you learned over the last year since we were at year ago and you just weren't quite there yet?

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, so many things have happened. I can't believe it's only been a year. Like a year ago I didn't even qualify for this tournament, so a lot has changed, a lot has happened. I feel like in the past year I've grown so much as a player and as a person. I mean, I have so many amazing experiences under my belt. I think I can take a lot of confidence from that.

Yeah, I feel like I progressed a lot, especially kind of early this year in the first half of the year. My scores haven't been the best, but I feel like I'm constantly improving as a player and doing the right things to give myself the best chance.

So I'm really excited for what's coming the rest of the year. Just seeing how I can do this week. I mean, I think I've it said so many times: I love playing match play. I love the one-on-one environment, kind of like playing more aggressive and just going for it.

So I'm really looking forward to it.

Q. Our amazing partners at Bank of Hope and MGM Rewards really work hard to make this tournament fun. You said yourself other players have been raving about it and you're happy to be here. Tell me, have you enjoyed the hospitality and the experiences? How is Vegas treating you?

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, absolutely. Vegas has been so cool so far. I mean, getting picked up in a limo from the airport, that's definitely a first.

Staying at Vdara, and amazing hotel with so many good food options. I love good food. So it's a great week from that point of view as well. Obviously the course is one of the best we play all year, so it's just really a treat to be here, especially with the limited field and just there is that little extra special in the air this week.

So...

Q. Are you looking forward to your grouping? Anyone in your grouping you're particularly excited to be playing with?

MATILDA CASTREN: I think it's a great group. All three players I'm playing against have been playing really well this year. I think there is going to be some great matches and I'm really looking forward to all of them.

Q. What's your strategy? Any secrets to share with us?

MATILDA CASTREN: No, I won't share that because then it won't be secrets. No, I'm going to play my own game. It's a tough track, so I think a lot of the holes will be won by pars.

Just try to not play like overly aggressive, but just put myself in the best positions for winning a hole.

Q. You're certainly going to get your conditioning in this weekend with the walking and the heat. If anything, you'll have that, right?

MATILDA CASTREN: Yes. And then we can just enjoy the good food afterwards.

THE MODERATOR: All right, thank you, Matilda.

MATILDA CASTREN: Thank you.

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