AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 7, 2022

Louise Duncan

Mixed Zone

Q. When you reflect on your week, you must be pleased?

LOUISE DUNCAN: Yeah, I'm over the moon with the end result. Start of the week, if you'd said that level par would be pretty good, especially since the conditions were meant to be quite testing, so yeah, to finish 1-under par total is really good and I'm happy with that

Q. After the ups and downs, the whole gamut of things this week, what have you done well and what do you think you need to improve on?

LOUISE DUNCAN: I think I hit the ball really well. My putting was a wee bit streaky yesterday. I had three bogeys and they came from 3-putts, and I hit pretty much every green other than that. I think if I can get the putter sorted and hole a few more putts, then it's going to be pretty good. Should be in contention at some point.

Q. Last week, obviously your first pro event, big cheque and this week you'll get a decent cheque, that will help with the marriage and everything?

LOUISE DUNCAN: Yeah, it will go towards them somewhat hopefully not all of, but weddings are expensive.

Q. Great for the morale to make the cut on the weekend in this kind of field.

LOUISE DUNCAN: Yeah, definitely cemented my decision. Like I didn't really know whether I wanted to do it or not but I'm happy with the result, and yeah, I'm looking forward to getting practicing again, getting out in tournaments like these.

Q. I know last year you didn't feel pressure because of expectations, but did you feel more pressure this year?

LOUISE DUNCAN: Weirdly, not. Like I knew what was on the line but I didn't really -- I think I maybe thought about it once on the 17th tee there, which probably wasn't great to think of.

But yeah, I'm going to be happy with whatever comes in, and hopefully it gets a bit breezy.

Q. Last year, you spoke that you never really got a chance to savour what you did, and this time you have a little bit of a chance to take it all in.

LOUISE DUNCAN: Yeah, last year, going straight to Curtis Cup, I was so tired going into it, and I didn't really have a chance to just debrief and actually take in what happened. I think next week is going to be just relaxed, hit a few balls, hit a few putts. Just take it completely easy and kind of let it all sink in.

Q. How was that walk up 18, a nice warm feeling?

LOUISE DUNCAN: I've had that twice now from last year Sunday and now this year Sunday. It was brilliant, and yeah, the support out there was great all week. Really lucky to have that behind me.

Q. What would be the high point of the week, what kind of stands out more than anything else?

LOUISE DUNCAN: 4-under to start and getting a good shot of making the cut and getting myself in a good position. That's probably the highlight. That was probably my best round of the year. So to get that in such a big event, first round, was really special.

Q. How much different is it as an amateur last year, pro this year, but still the same game, I guess, what's the biggest difference you've noticed, if there's been much difference?

LOUISE DUNCAN: Maybe nerves, I wasn't as nervous. Kind of knew to expect. I mean, that's just experience. I'd say that's probably the big thing.

And having to choose my own outfits. I've kind of struggled all week with that, trying to decide what I want to wear what day.

Q. Like the jumper today.

LOUISE DUNCAN: I'm absolutely boiling. The weather's completely shafted me.

Q. You've played two majors, essentially the biggest events, Scottish Open and Women's Open. Will it be a shock to the system going to a regular event?

LOUISE DUNCAN: Shockingly, there's an early tee event in Madrid, so I don't know what to expect for those types of events.

Yeah, I think it might be a wee bit like easier in terms of I won't be as nervous. Probably won't be as big of crowds. Won't be in Scotland. So yeah, I think it will be a lot quieter.

Q. What was a low point and how satisfying is it now?

LOUISE DUNCAN: Probably Augusta. Augusta was horrendous. I played awful the first two rounds which -- nearly came dead last. That's definitely a low point. I just didn't really get anything going. Wasn't confident; I felt out of place.

I mean, it's been a long struggle. This is the first cut I've made all year, so I'm really delighted with that. Yeah, going forward, I'm going to keep this tournament in my mind -- because effectively, they don't really matter.

Q. Was the pressure of last year part of the struggles you had?

LOUISE DUNCAN: I think the pressure of it but the kind of expectations of everyone thinking, oh, she came top 10 in the majors, she's going to go out and win everything else. It's just never going to happen.

So yeah, that was probably what was in the back of my mind going into Augusta. Not so much the other events but Augusta mostly.

Q. For Dean, is there a professional target --

LOUISE DUNCAN: Not sure. If I can convince him, then that would be great but who knows.

Q. Giving you advice --

LOUISE DUNCAN: He's great, he has got all the experiences you want in a caddie and he knows my game well from last year and this year. He was a big asset on the bag and really appreciate all his support.