AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 6, 2022

Inbee Park

Mixed Zone

Q. How tough was it out there today?

INBEE PARK: Back nine was monstrous today, especially 14 and 15, I couldn't get to the green. It was really tough. It's just really hard on the greens with a lot of wind blowing and just trying to figure out the break, and the wind was just very confusing.

It was not a good putting day for me out there today. Just missed a lot of opportunities, and then I had a lot of good birdie opportunities; I had a birdie on the front nine but I just but couldn't make enough.

Q. When the person you're chasing after has a huge lead and hits a couple wild shots on 17, and then chips in, what does it do to your psyche?

INBEE PARK: You know, I think that hole just explains the day that she was having and just the golf she's played today was just phenomenal. There was no -- she was flawless. Yeah, we are going to have to play in good golf tomorrow to catch her. Obviously I'm going to have to drop some putts tomorrow.

Q. How would you describe her performance today? You were obviously playing alongside her, looking at it?

INBEE PARK: It was not as windy when I won on Turnberry in 2015 but I shot 7-under the final day to win the championship. So it really reminded me of something similar to that round.

She played perfect today. I don't remember her making any mistakes today, and even if she did she ended up having a birdie like 17. That's kind of round that you need to be a champion.

Q. Nothing will ever be like Turnberry.

INBEE PARK: (Laughing).

Q. Did the bogey on the last give everybody a little bit of hope?

INBEE PARK: Well, still, she has a huge lead. But like I said, this golf course with the wind blowing on the back nine like this, you just don't know what's going to happen. And losing three or four shots is just really easy out there. So yeah, just never give up, and just try to make some opportunities.

Yeah, just got to play some good golf just like Ashleigh today.

Q. Give us your reflection of how that experience was out there today.

INBEE PARK: Yeah, it was blowing out there, it was a true British Open today. I struggled a little bit on the back nine but I didn't lose too many, which is good. Just not a good putting day for me today. It was tough but I knew there was an opportunity for me. But just didn't make enough.

A little disappointed. Hopefully a little better putting day tomorrow.

Q. Was the putting you think down to the wind, and how much was the wind affecting things on the greens?

INBEE PARK: It was affecting a lot. The break didn't matter on the back nine. It was just literally, even if it's a left-to-right putt and the wind is blowing right-to-left, it's going right-to-left. It's just really hard to figure out how much.

You know, when you are standing over a putt and you know it's left-to-right, but the wind is going the other way you have to aim the opposite of the breaks. It's just really hard to commit to it and I had a couple of mistakes there.

Q. And now that you have three competitive rounds in the bank at Muirfield, what would your assessment be in terms of what this course demands and what's the most important thing to do well around this course?

INBEE PARK: The one thing I did good today was when it was tough conditions, just don't give up and just don't miss too many shots. There is still an opportunity when you finish the day and it's tough for everyone. Easier obviously for the girls that played early-early. But it's just tough for everyone, so try to hang in there and search for that opportunity.

Q. Into tomorrow, what will your mindset be? You're seven shots back at moment, but tell us your game plan.

INBEE PARK: You witnessed how Ashleigh played today. That's the type of round I'm going to need tomorrow. I saw it and I know that it is possible. So try to hit a lot of good shots, and the putter has got to change from today for sure.