ISPS HANDA WORLD INVITATIONAL

August 11, 2022

Lauren Coughlin

Galgorm Castle & Massereene Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Lauren Coughlin, right now with the clubhouse lead at 5-under. Take me through what this first day was like for you at Massareene.

LAUREN COUGHLIN: Yeah, it's a fun golf course. You really have to hope you guess how the bounces are going to go on the greens. Sometimes they do; sometimes they don't.

But, yeah, it was fun. Really good start. Really excited to be back in Ireland, or Northern Ireland, so, yeah.

Q. I asked you walking up here what is it about Northern Ireland. Just what it is about these two courses that's bringing out some good game in you?

LAUREN COUGHLIN: Yeah, I'm Irish, so I think that helps a little bit.

Yeah, I think it's just more the courses kind of suit me. You have to really control your golf ball, and I did a pretty good job of that today. Finally made some putts.

Q. Last year, inside the top 20 finish. Talked about how you made the cut on the number and being able to play really well on the weekend. What did you learn about last year that you're using to your advantage this year?

LAUREN COUGHLIN: Yeah, I think it's just I kind of had a rough couple weeks the last few weeks between Evian and Scottish and then the British. I think I was just trying to ease up a little bit and not take it too seriously, just go have fun.

We did that today.

Q. What is it about kind of being able to push back what has been going on the last three weeks and mentally reset? What do you do to mentally reset for not only one, but two courses this week?

LAUREN COUGHLIN: Yeah, luckily I played here last year. I didn't played 18 on either of them. I just kind of, one, let may caddie do his deal, and more just was trying to get a feel for the greens compared to the last couple weeks in Scotland, a lot different.

But, yeah, I was more just trying to not take it too seriously. Past results don't necessarily mean it's going to continue, and trying to live that as best as possible.

Q. Couple birdies on the card today. Eagle at No. 10. What was working so well on No. 10 for you?

LAUREN COUGHLIN: Yeah, so I hit it about pin high left of the bunker and Alice chipped before me and hit it to about four feet just in front of the hole. I chipped it and I hit a little harder than I thought I wanted to, and it kind of bounced off her marker right into the hole.

(Laughter.)

Q. It happens.

LAUREN COUGHLIN: Yeah. I played it really good.

Q. A 5-under number going into tomorrow at Galgorm. Got to be pretty satisfied with that as you switch to a new course.

LAUREN COUGHLIN: Yeah, for sure. I felt pretty happy that I got Massareene first, that way I can play Galgorm the next three days and not have to go back and forth.

Yeah, excited to get back over there and keep playing well hopefully.

Q. What do you take away from today's round that you hope to continue into tomorrow?

LAUREN COUGHLIN: Just the putting has kind of been my issue most of the year, and so just trying to keep my grip pressure loose as much as possible.

Q. When you've been go, go, and go and you realize you have to put a little bit more work in on the putting, what does that look like for you outside of the course?

LAUREN COUGHLIN: Yeah, I mean, luckily putting doesn't take too much out of you, so I just kind of spend as much time, again, more just trying to get a feel for how the speed of the green was.

They roll really pure, so I knew as long as I was starting it online and had good speed, I had a good shot of going in.