BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

May 26, 2022

Ally Ewing

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Ally Ewing after a 3&2 victory during the second round of the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play presented by MGM Rewards. Ally, tell me, what did you sort of do? I see you had a big stretch where you were just in the lead early. Tell me, what did you do to maintain that good play throughout the day?

ALLY EWING: Well, on the back nine specifically I didn't hit it great that stretch from like 10 to 13. I kind of just hung there. I made a couple really good par putts, which for me I think just really helps you attain that momentum that you feel like you have.

But I definitely feel like today versus yesterday I was able to convert some birdies early on and have some good looks, and was able to make a very unexpected par from about 35 feet on hole 8, which helped me win the hole.

But, yeah, I think just overall I would just say I did get out to the lead, made a couple really good early birdies, and then was able to just hold on and battle the heat and battle a really good player in Jasmine.

Q. Speaking of yesterday, obviously you didn't win your match yesterday but you won today. This is match play, so anything can happen. I want to know going into this match, sort of a must-win; is that how you felt? Were you feeling more pressure because you didn't win?

ALLY EWING: Yeah, I think it's -- definitely after losing the first match you feel like you have to win the second one to even have a chance. Obviously I think Jodi has a pretty good lead in her match against So Yeon, so if she pulls that match out, tomorrow's is completely like you know you have to win your match, but you also need a little help from Jodi and Jasmine.

Yeah, the match play is just completely up to you controlling what you have in front of you, and tomorrow I'm going to have So Yeon, who's a great player, and then what goes on in the other match is completely out of my control. I did what I could do today, and tomorrow will be a different battle.

Q. You mentioned battling the conditions a little bit, the heat, weather. I know you played a fair few holes yesterday. How are you managing all that?

ALLY EWING: Trying to drink a lot of water, more than I think I need. Then when I get to the hotel, still just really trying to stay on top of my hydration, get off my feet.

I'm not trying to go walk all the way down the strip and back or anything like that. So just stay hydrated, keep food in my system, and try to mentally and physically rest ever chance I can.

Q. Coming off as the champion last year, do you ever feel like you have an advantage? Does that give you more confidence being in the middle of playing, like I've won this before, I can do?

ALLY EWING: I definitely feel like I try to build confidence off good play last year, but with match play there is so many different variables that are in play.

Because, I mean, there is a very good chance tomorrow that like if I were to play well enough to beat So Yeon, Jodi could completely control her own destiny with that.

So like I said, I'd probably need a little help even if I were to go out and play really well against So Yeon, but that's just how the format of this is.

Last year I needed some help. I think Christina was playing Leona or something like that and I needed some help from that match and I got it.

Like I said, I'll have to go play solid golf to play a great player in So Yeon tomorrow, and we'll see what happens from there.

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