BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

May 26, 2023

Maja Stark

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Maja Stark; 3 & 2. Being able to move on into the weekend in your debut here at Shadow Creek, just how are you feeling after day three of group play?

MAJA STARK: Good. I think I have had periods of really solid play the past few days, so I'm excited for tomorrow.

Q. Yesterday you talked about when you're feeling frustrated, when maybe the golf isn't going your way, about really making it a priority to keep your head up, talk to your caddie, not practicing those bad habits. Did you feel like you had to do that today at any point?

MAJA STARK: Not really. I think I played really well until I got dormie after 12 holes. So I didn't really feel that much pressure at any point.

So today was just nice. Golf felt way more easy than it was the past few days.

Q. I know you like playing easy golf. What made it easy out there?

MAJA STARK: I think I just prioritized hitting greens and just making life simple for myself. I made a couple long putts so that helps too, obviously. Yeah, just not -- I didn't really have many like hard pars, so I just think, yeah, it was nice to play.

Q. What were some of the long putts you talked about?

MAJA STARK: So I made -- I chunked my wedge on 7. Had a 10-meter breaker and made that; I won that hole.

And then I made an 11-meter putt on 12 to go -- to tie the hole.

So, yeah. And get dormie, so...

Q. If I'm looking at the card right, looked like you birdied all the par-5s on the front. Is that where you can take advantage of this course?

MAJA STARK: Yeah, I think so. Yeah, they have those few par-5s in the beginning, and I think it really helps to hit far, because then you can get to those greens in two. And, I mean, I'm not the furthest hitter out there, but at least I can reach the holes in two, and that gives you a little bit more confidence.

Yeah, gets you a little like head start I guess.

Q. So when you were dormie after 12 did you imagine you would be out on the course for another hour?

MAJA STARK: No. I really tried, but my brain just shut off. I guess I just thought, well, even if we end up all square through 18 it doesn't matter because I get half a point, so it's fine.

My brain took that a little too seriously and just stopped doing what it was supposed to.

But, yeah, made lunch, so that's all I worried about.

Q. Heading into the elimination round, how will you kind of prioritize that rest and recovery knowing there are potentially a lot more holes of golf to play out there?

MAJA STARK: I haven't even thought of that. I think I'm pretty used to this coming from like European championships, Nationals where you play several rounds of stroke play and then 36, 36, 36.

So I think I'm pretty used to it. I think my adrenaline will probably keep me awake and focused for the next couple days, so I think it won't be too hard.

Just get rest next week I guess.

Q. Do you feel as if you are most competitive in this type of environment?

MAJA STARK: No. This is awful. Match play is so hard. (Laughter.)

I mean, mean I just play like I usually do but it's nerve-racking. I just happen to play well in those situations, but it's not fun. It's fun, but losing is awful.

So, yeah, no, it's not comfortable at all.

Q. How do you rise to the occasion and, quote, unquote, not lose this weekend?

MAJA STARK: Keep playing good golf. Don't worry about what the opponent does. Yeah, I think that's all I can do really.

Q. If this is awful, match play is awful, how does that make you feel about Solheim Cup possibilities?

MAJA STARK: Well, I've heard several stories about rookies throwing up on the first tee, and I think I could be one of those people.

Yeah, I mean, yeah, that's just going to be -- I don't know what I'll do. I mean, I've been in stressful situations before when it's team -- when you're playing with your team I think that's even worse because you don't want to let them down.

Now it's for your continent and that's almost worse because there is so many more people watching. I bet there is going to be a lot of people out there this year. I'm already nervous for that.

Q. But it's still something you're really -- you really want to make that team?

MAJA STARK: Oh, yeah, for sure. Match play is awful but I love it. (Laughter.)