THE CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP

April 20, 2023

Eila Galitsky

The Club at Carlton Woods

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with the 16-year old amateur, Eila Galitsky. I just want to know what the mindset was getting ready for this first round here at The Chevron Championship?

EILA GALITSKY: Mindset was just play your game and keep it in the fairway, yeah.

Q. Take me through what that first day was like for you out there.

EILA GALITSKY: First couple holes I was 1-under, so that was really fun.

Then I hit a bad 3-wood on the fifth to end up in the trees on the right. Got a bogey. I was still even par so didn't feel too bad.

Yeah, just the rest of the round, if I was in the fairway it was either a birdie or par. If I was in the woods, then it was a bogey today.

Q. For you, was there any sort of -- did you say something to yourself at the turn? Did you say anything to maybe change what you were doing heading into the back nine?

EILA GALITSKY: Heading into the back nine I just kept my -- just tried to keep what I was doing, and, yeah, just the fairways.

Q. Fairways and greens. Congratulations on a great first round.

EILA GALITSKY: Thank you.

Q. What were your expectation coming into this event? What would you have felt like was a good week?

EILA GALITSKY: Making the cut.

Q. Well, you're off to a strong start there. Tell me about what went through your mind when you got the invitation to this event as well as other major championships in terms of getting ready for those?

EILA GALITSKY: Yeah, when I got -- when I heard this event was in like a month and a half after winning the Asia-Pacific I was pretty shocked. I thought I would have more time to prepare.

But, yeah, I was like -- I was pretty ready to come and do this, yeah.

Q. So you have dual citizenship, Canada and Thailand?

EILA GALITSKY: Yep.

Q. You live in Thailand. Can you explain what all you have. Have you always lived in Thailand?

EILA GALITSKY: Yeah, I was born and raised in Thailand, Chiang Mai Thailand. My dad is a Canadian from Toronto, and, I mean, it's great to have dual citizenship because I don't need visas for a lot of countries, yeah.

Q. I just want know what the preparation was like for this week when you finally got to Texas? What have you been doing to gear up for the major?

EILA GALITSKY: I've been here pretty long because I played the ANWA and after that I came here. But the course was closed for like preparing for this tournament, so I ran around here, The Woodlands, and got some nice practice in.

Q. First time in Texas?

EILA GALITSKY: No, I was in Texas about three or four years ago. Yeah, not for any tournament, just to see a friend.

Q. Just to be here. I love that.

EILA GALITSKY: Yeah.

Q. Thinking of being able to play Augusta National, you go from ANWA to a major championship, what's kind of the emotions and feelings you've had since winning the women's Asia-Pacific Amateur?

EILA GALITSKY: Just a little bit more pressure, but nobody expected a lot before, but now some more added pressure. I like it. I like playing under pressure.

Q. Tell us a little bit about what age you were when you started playing and what you love about the game, what other sports you've played.

EILA GALITSKY: I started playing when I was eight and what I love about the game is even a good round you could have done better. Like there is never a perfect round.

But I played basketball. I love basic ball. I played for the school.

Q. What grade are you in?

EILA GALITSKY: Tenth grade.

Q. Do you have any Thai heros out here that you've met along the way?

EILA GALITSKY: Atthaya and Ariya.

Q. When did you first meet them?

EILA GALITSKY: Right now. Like two days ago.

Q. What was that like?

EILA GALITSKY: It was -- I was like kind of excited and, yeah, it was nice chatting to them.

Q. Have you played in other professional events before?

EILA GALITSKY: Yeah. I think this is my third or fourth professional event. I played three in Thailand.

Q. Okay. I was going to say, I know that we have a friend watching behind us here, but who have you leaned on for advice heading into a week like this?

EILA GALITSKY: Probably her and my coach, yeah.

Q. And her is?

EILA GALITSKY: Natthakrita Vongtaveelap.

Q. Where did you two first meet and what has it been like to have someone like her? You guys both finished at the same time today.

EILA GALITSKY: Yeah.

Q. What did you tell her? Did you say, I did pretty well today?

EILA GALITSKY: She said she almost tripled a hole and I'm like, that's too bad. Better luck next time. (Laughter.)

Q. Nothing like friendship.

EILA GALITSKY: Yeah.

Q. Coming in as an amateur, what are your expectations?

EILA GALITSKY: Just making the cut. Yeah, and finishing top amateur obviously. Yeah.

Q. You're on your way to doing that.

EILA GALITSKY: Just couple more rounds I hope.

Q. Did you surprise yourself any with your play today?

EILA GALITSKY: Not really. I felt like my drives were a little bit off, so, yeah. But I was surprised to see how many birdies I on got on a par-3, because that's usually not my strong suit.

Q. What's your strong suit?

EILA GALITSKY: The driving.

Q. The driving?

EILA GALITSKY: Yeah.

Q. What have you done to get that as the best part of your game?

EILA GALITSKY: I think hitting it long helps, but just practice, yeah.

Q. How far do you average off the tee?

EILA GALITSKY: About 260, 270, yeah.

Q. Who is here with you?

EILA GALITSKY: A lot of people actually. My coach, my mom, my dad, brother, and aunt.

Q. And who is caddieing for you?

EILA GALITSKY: Course caddie, Cole. Yeah, back there.

Q. One more question: After a great first day here, what do you take from a round like this heading into the second day tomorrow?

EILA GALITSKY: Just keep everything as it like, and better drives. That's it.