BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

May 23, 2023

Linn Grant

Shadow Creek

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome inside the online and in-person media center here at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match presented by MGM Rewards. I'm pleased to be joined by Linn Grant.

Linn, welcome to Vegas.

LINN GRANT: Thank you.

Q. I know you've been able to see a little bit of Shadow Creek. What's it been like getting ready for this event?

LINN GRANT: It's been great. Came over last week and was in Florida for a week. First time in Vegas, first time at Shadow Creek. Beautiful golf course. I've only played the back nine so far. Looks amazing, and I'm really excited.

Q. What's it been like gearing up for this event? I know you played last week, and you're also coming off an LET win as well. What did that win do for your confidence as you get ready to embark on this season?

LINN GRANT: I mean, obviously my last season was very good, and coming into this season I felt some pressure from myself and, I mean, obviously from outside as well.

So just to get that win and prove to myself especially that, you know, before coming here that I can still do to sort of.

Yeah, it boosts you. You know you're on a good track. Regardless of how you play you can get a win. It was just a nice week.

Q. Did that win really begin setting your expectations for the season? Like you said, you had a remarkable season last year. What did it mean for you to feel that pressure and answer those questions?

LINN GRANT: I mean, I think I just enjoyed myself so much last year. I didn't even think of like putting any pressure on myself. I was just playing my own game and really enjoying like the whole journey of it.

And I think this year I just forgot about that a little bit, and having my mom with me last week and my coach helped me to find that again. I'm just going to continue on this path now and just really enjoy it and enjoy being a professional golfer I guess.

Q. What's unique about this is it is match play. Every week is normally stroke play, so this is definitely a different event for the LPGA Tour? What excites you about an event like this and being able to hone your skills of match play?

LINN GRANT: Well, I haven't played match play in a while, which is exciting both, yet scary. But I have good memories from match play playing as an amateur in European Team event, and there is always some good golf that comes out of match play.

It's always fun to just go head-to-head with someone else and push the limits.

Q. Does it give that inkling of excitement of Solheim in September?

LINN GRANT: Yes. It's a good prep. As much match play you get to play up to that point the better I think.

Q. I know you're a first timer in this event. What made you add this to the schedule this year?

LINN GRANT: Obviously I haven't been in the U.S. for a while, so coming back, especially playing here, such a great golf course, I think everyone I talked to just said it's an amazing place.

So many coming here and then preparing for going back to schedule deny and defending my Scandinavian Mixed title was just a great event to add it the schedule.

Q. Briefly touched on Solheim. I assume that's a goal this year.

LINN GRANT: Yeah.

Q. Top of the list?

LINN GRANT: Yeah, obviously I haven't played before and only seen Solheim as a amateur. Being able to be in the mix of players playing is just a dream come true really.

Q. That's an added reason for adding this event, to get some match play experience in?

LINN GRANT: Yeah, because we don't get to play it very much, so it's always a bit awkward in the beginning if you haven't. It's good to get a feel for it.

Q. Have you looked at the draw or does it matter who you're playing, you're just out there playing for yourself?

LINN GRANT: I have looked at the draw, but since I'm kind of new to the tour I don't know everyone yet very well. It's nice to get a name and a face tomorrow, yeah.

Q. Does who you're playing affect your strategy, or you're just going out there to make birdies if you can?

LINN GRANT: No, I think like every player out here could win the week so you never know. Just looking at a name or what they've done before is kind of hard to make a judgment out of the that.

I'm just going to go out and kind of see who I'm up against and play against that, I guess.

Q. Wanted to ask you, obviously ASU alum, so you know what you're doing in the desert. How fun is it to play desert golf? I know Shadow Creek is a little different.

LINN GRANT: Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it, especially the heat, I guess. But, yeah it will be fun. It's a great course so far what I've seen.

Not very close to the desert courses I played before, but still a good challenge and you just enjoy every hole you look at.

Yeah, I think it will be a great week.

Q. I know you played in some of the overseas LPGA Tour events. What did you learn in those experiences that you will apply to not only this week, but the rest of the season?

LINN GRANT: I think I've just learned where my game is at and like on a regular week how I perform out here. Kind of know how the course setup is every week, what strategy to have, and so on.

Definitely this is a different week because it's a match play week, but at the moment I'm just trying to learn through every week I play and bring that with me for next year and the years to come.

Q. Last one from me: Anybody you seen this week that you haven't seen in a minute that you were excited to catch up with?

LINN GRANT: Obviously I haven't seen Maja in a while and we've been good friends for a while. Good to see her again over on this side. Otherwise it's always nice to see some familiar faces again.

Q. You mentioned your journey a little bit earlier. What did it feel like to not have the opportunity to play in the States as a rookie?

LINN GRANT: I think actually looking back at it now, I really appreciate not coming here earlier. I think I wouldn't have had the experience I've had with the LET and all the confidence that I've gained through the that year.

I think that was a great year for me to kind of get into professional golf and learn about my game and traveling and getting used to all the stuff you have to get used to.

So I feel like I'm more prepared now coming here now than I would've been a year ago. I'm just really I think everything happens for a reason. I think there was a reason for that.

Q. What has this week felt like playing in the U.S. as an LPGA member for the first time?

LINN GRANT: It will be fun. Like I said, I'm just going to try and enjoy and not think too much about it and get into the mood that this is my workplace now.

Q. What are your goals for the year?

LINN GRANT: My goals? Obviously make the Solheim Cup team. That would be a dream come true. And climb in the rankings, win some events. A major will be a goal for me until I do that, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: All right, I think that will do it for us. Thanks for coming in and best of luck.

LINN GRANT: Thank you.