ISPS HANDA WORLD INVITATIONAL

August 13, 2022

Maja Stark

Galgorm Castle & Massereene Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Maja Stark. 10-under overall. Overall thoughts after the day that you had today.

MAJA STARK: A bit frustrating. I had a lot of putts that just didn't go in. I have been struggling with my confidence on the greens this past week, but I finally managed to get my irons in check and actually stuck some pretty close.

Overall pretty happy with how I fought back.

Q. Definitely a fight back after that double towards the beginning of the round. With that eagle rebound, what was going through your mind over those couple holes?

MAJA STARK: I think it was just to get back to it. I just want to beat Linn, but we also had a competition that we wanted to make 16 birdies together.

I think it was just all about sticking to that goal, too, and having someone there to like push for you. We said before the round, let's really root for each other today, more than usual, and do high fives when we make birdies and stuff.

We did that, and it was really nice to, yeah, just have someone push you.

Q. It's interesting to hear you say that. I just want to beat Linn out there. The two of you at the top of the race to Costa de Sol standings, best friends in that aspect. When the putts aren't dropping, does that help get through the rest of the round and still put a good number out there?

MAJA STARK: Yeah, because I think you just stay aggressive and keep giving yourself chances. I think that's just what we were doing. When I didn't hit one up close, Linn did, and then I wanted get another birdie.

It was just a good exchange of aggressiveness I guess.

Q. Just to know a little bit more detail, what was going so right there on the eagle, No. 9?

MAJA STARK: I don't know. I just like that green. It's a little bowl. I don't know. Just like it.

Then I felt like I kind of under-read it a little bit, so just hit it a little bit harder.

Q. How far was the putt?

MAJA STARK: Five meters, 18 feet.

Q. Only one birdie on the back nine. You were talking about how you're trying to get more of a better read on the greens. Is that something you're looking to push for tomorrow?

MAJA STARK: Yeah, I think just trusting my lines. There were so many times I was standing over the ball and I just didn't think it was going in.

I had already changed it and I was like, I can't change it again because I won't find anything new. But then just actually trusting the lines and not being stupid with it, not doing -- I didn't say, Oh, I think it's under-read. I just hit it a bit harder. That's not the way to go.

It worked that time, but I think I under-read quite a lot. I think just thinking about that for tomorrow will be better.

Q. You've had two come-from-behind wins. On final days like this, are you one to like the chase?

MAJA STARK: Yeah, I think I do. As long as it's not too much of a chase. As long as I stay patient and know it doesn't matter if I don't start with three birdies because it's going to be fine.

Sometimes if I have to chase too much I get so eager and greedy in the beginning that I don't even think about my mission, what I'm supposed to do. I just go for it and I'm stupid aggressive instead of smart aggressive.

Q. There is a lot of things at stake tomorrow if you were to come out on top. What is it like pushing that aside to focus on the game of golf, or are those in the back of your head sometimes?

MAJA STARK: Oh, yeah, for sure. I had a couple times this round where I got a little bit shaky and got a little bit nervous and my heart rate was racing because I thought about what it would mean.

But then I think I've been in that situation so many times before that I know it's just do what I always do and not to try to -- just push those thoughts away and just deal with them. And then it's all about what I do, like my actions, and not what I think.

So I think, yeah, it will probably be a problem tomorrow. It will be something that's unusual, but I know how to handle it.

Q. When the heart rate goes up and you feel a little shaky, do you lean on Sophie? Who do you lean on when you're out there?

MAJA STARK: Well, I've never been in that situation with Sophie before, so I think just lean on myself and all the things that I learned these past few years, what my coaches have taught me.

At the Creekhouse win last year I had a high pulse on every shot that weekend, so I went 36 holes just feeling that all the time and I managed to not be disturbed by it anyway.

I think, yeah, now I can handle it and I'll be fine when it comes again.