DANA OPEN PRESENTED BY MARATHON

September 2, 2022

Caroline Masson

Highland Meadows Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Caroline Masson. Four birdies to start; a lot of pars. It was kind of the sum of your day. Walk me through your round. What was going through your mind after those opening holes and then the rest of the day?

CAROLINE MASSON: Yeah, a little bit of a strange day looking back. Obviously got off to a great start. You're always trying not to get too far ahead of yourself when that happens.

So I just hit some really good shots. Like I hit them very close on 1, 2, 3; made a good downhill putt on 4.

I don't know, I mean, I didn't really change my mindset or anything. I think the next couple holes were a little harder holes where pars are okay, and then I hit some good shots, hit some bad shots, didn't really make any putts, didn't hit them as close as the first three holes, but had some good opportunities and just couldn't make the putts.

I think looking back, I'm actually pretty proud of myself staying patient, because when you got off to such a good start you obviously want to shoot really low. Sometimes I think you can get ahead of yourself and get a little frustrated when you don't keep making birdies.

So I really tried to keep it together until the end, and obviously with two par-5s coming up I had some good chances. Just didn't make those either.

Yeah, just solid day of golf, and just really looking forward to the weekend.

Q. How do you kind of calm yourself down when you got off to a really hot start? You're a little bit juiced. Heading to the fifth tee. Adrenaline is flowing. What do you do that helps you just kind of relax?

CAROLINE MASSON: I think I just take a deep breathe and feel comfortable. I think that's a great thing, getting off to a good start and just being comfortable with where you are at. I try not to look at the leaderboard too much, but obviously you know, you know, yeah, you're on your way up there.

So, yeah, I mean, honestly nothing really changed. I don't think I did anything wrong after that. I hit a great tee shot and a great shot into 5; good up and down on 6. I think I did good things; just didn't happen to hit them as close and didn't drop in any putts.

I think that's what it really comes down to to make birdies.

Q. Heading into the weekend out here, I heard the golf course is getting firmer but the greens are a little bit slower in the afternoon. Just what do you see and what are you looking for from your game on Saturday and Sunday?

CAROLINE MASSON: Yeah, I think the greens, you know at times -- I don't want to say they're inconsistent, but depending on what hole you're on some release more and some not as much.

You really have to rely on memory from the past and how certain holes and greens played. But, yeah, going forward, I mean, I just need to play solid. I think Missy and I, my caddie and I, have a good game plan. We didn't really make any mistakes. You know, bogey-free is always good.

So I just want to keep doing that and just hit solid shots and stay as patient as I have been.

Q. Just finally, contention. You have been playing some pretty good golf. I remember talking to you a Founder Cup last year and it was like your renaissance, your kind of comeback.

CAROLINE MASSON: Yeah.

Q. Been in contention a few times this year. What's that kind of like for you and what do you think about when you're chasing just a few shots back?

CAROLINE MASSON: I mean, obviously that's where I want to be, so I want to really embrace it, take it as a positive. I don't want to put any extra pressure on myself.

I think that's easy to do. But in the end, you know, looking in from the outside, that's what you're here to do. I really want to enjoy it. I think I've worked hard and I've been patient this year to play pretty well but not really score too well, so I think I earned to kind of be this at that position. I want to really enjoy it and just try my best, be relaxed out there.

I know it's not life or death, and that's a pretty good perspective to have.