COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

May 13, 2023

Ashleigh Buhai

Upper Montclair Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Ashleigh Buhai. Good round today. I saw you started off with a birdie and then a double. How do you bounce back from that?

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: Yeah, I hit a great shot on my first hole, and to be honest, the double I hit a really good shot. Was just in the semi rough. Came out slightly heavy and just didn't make the carry.

And I wasn't really upset with myself because I felt I made going to swing. I just said, listen you're swinging it good. Just keep doing what you're doing.

So I didn't let it rattle me, which I think was very helpful for the rest of the round.

Q. Yeah. And last year you missed the cut here. How do you change that mentality heading into this week?

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: Yeah, it was just one week last year, you know. I really like this golf course. I came here, like the way it played. I think it's set up better this year. Felt last year played tough in the practice round and they kind of pushed all the tees forward.

I like how they've kept everything back. This course is playing firm now, how it should be. You got to thread it and got to be very patient and hit it to certain spots on the greens, and sometimes 20, 25 feet is a good shot.

Q. What part of your game is tested the most with this golf course?

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: I think driving. You've got to drive it accurately and hit different shots, hit fades, draws. And then again, second shots into the green, you can't attack every flag here, especially the last few holes. You got to kind of hit 20, 25 feet to certain parts of the green and just take a two-putt and carry on.

Q. D you find playing more conservatively opens up birdie opportunities for you you?

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: I just like it when courses play tough and you have to think. I like to call it smart golf. You can't just get up and hit any shot and go at a flag. And especially with the greens firming up, you have to be very patient out here.

Q. With your win last year at the AIG Women's Open, you were holding the lead going into the last round. How are you planning to chase the top tomorrow?

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: Just keep going what I'm doing. I'm not going to try and chase because I feel particularly on this golf course if you try to chase then mistakes will happen.

So stay patient and hopefully hole one or two more putts. To be honest, I was surprised when I stood on I think 16 and I saw where I was on the leaderboard. I was like, oh, okay. Top 5. This is good.

So shows that what I'm doing by staying patient is working.