DOW GREAT LAKES BAY INVITATIONAL

July 18, 2023

Matilda Castren

Kelly Tan

Midland Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the media center, ladies. On my right, Matilda Castren; on my left, Kelly Tan, last year's runners-up at this event. It was a really fun time. I remember it well, but welcome back to the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Tell us your thoughts on being here again and how much you enjoyed maybe what you remember from last year. Kelly, you can go first.

KELLY TAN: Yeah, I think just coming here remembering from last year's memories, like all the good shots we've hit. They're really great, and it's just exciting that we're playing together again this year, so that's always -- in the beginning of the year we were talking about it.

And she's, like, We're going to partner up again; right?

I'm, like, Yeah, of course.

It's something that I've looked forward to in the calendar year, so here we are.

MATILDA CASTREN: I feel the same way as Kelly. I've been really excited for this event and coming back here. Especially playing the 18th hole today really brought back some good memories. I'm sure the stands will be as filled as they were last year, and just really looking forward to the week.

THE MODERATOR: A lot going on for you two this year, and I want to bring up last week where you both had really good performances. How much does last week's performances on your end inspire you this week, and now you have each other to lean on?

KELLY TAN: Yeah, definitely. I mean, Matilda played great. I had a great first round. I had a few weeks off before Toledo last week and just worked on my game a little bit, a little bit more on my mental side of the game.

Yeah, I just have to put all four rounds together, and the best part is it's a team event this week, and we get to be each other's partner and be each other's best friend on the course and really have a fun time out there.

THE MODERATOR: You played well last week obviously. How did that make you feel coming into this week?

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, it was great. I also had a couple of weeks off before. I had some time to work on some things and happy about where my game is at right now.

Also, trying to put the four rounds together, but really excited where both of our games are at really. I mean, posting some good scores, and I think both of us are looking really good right now. So I'm excited to see how it goes.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. A couple of questions. First off, last year obviously you finished in second place. Was there something you thought that you might work on at the tournament this year to make sure that you overtook the defending champions, who did not show up this week?

KELLY TAN: I mean, I think for us right off the bat is the chemistry between us. We're best friends. We're just really comfortable with each other.

I don't think we're going to change any of our game plans. We're just going to keep going out there, having fun, give ourselves chances and see where we can put ourselves at the end of the week.

Q. Specifically on the 18th hole, it's such an exclamation point hole that you have out here. That must be something that you really look forward to. At the end of the round you get to really show your shot-making.

KELLY TAN: I'll let you answer that.

MATILDA CASTREN: It's just a fun hole. There's so many people there, and we played it in the afternoon on Saturday last year, and it was just pretty rowdy and just a really fun atmosphere.

I can already picture it, just playing it today even though there's nobody there yet, but it's just really cool.

Q. A follow-up question for Matilda. Solheim Cup, when you were on that winning team two years ago and I think you won that year as well, there's no way you want to miss the team this year. You're just outside. I think after your finish last week, you got five tournaments left. What do you feel your chances are making a team meet either on points or as a captain's pick?

MATILDA CASTREN: Well, I think only time will tell. I'm, of course, trying to do my best every single week and working really hard to get my game together. If I get a spot on the team, that's just kind of a product of good results and good stuff that I've done outside of the course.

I think no matter what I think I can be pretty proud of where my game is at right now, and I'm still going to work hard and try to play my best and kind of not put too much pressure on myself.

I know if I play well and put some good scores together, I'll be playing on the team. But, you know, there are other girls out there, and I can't control what they're doing. So I just can't think about it too much and put too much pressure on myself on that.

Q. So just one more follow-up on that. Are you talking in the locker room? Do you hear chirping back and forth between players on either team, or is that just...

MATILDA CASTREN: No, I haven't heard any chitchat or anything. I think everyone is just trying to do their best.

In the end Suzann and the assistant captains are going to pick whoever they want on the team, and the rankings are going to speak for themselves. Not trying to think about it too much. I think everyone is kind of in the same boat.

Q. Thank you. It looks like Dow is really glad to have you here this week.

KELLY TAN: Yeah, we're glad to be here. Excited to get the week started.

THE MODERATOR: Speaking of Suzann, just her being around, I'm wondering what's your relationship with her? Has she talked to you at all, not even about Solheim, but does it make you nervous playing in front of her, any of that?

MATILDA CASTREN: She was here last year too. It doesn't make me feel nervous. She was an assistant captain at Solheim two years ago. It doesn't make me nervous. It was nice to see her. I talked to her a little bit this morning.

Yeah, I mean, I think it kind of gives me a little extra motivation to kind of prove to her that I want to be on the team and I deserve to be on that team, but of course, the scores are going to speak for themselves. Yeah, that's all I can really say. Time will tell what happens.

THE MODERATOR: For you, you're heading to Evian next week; correct?

MATILDA CASTREN: Yes.

THE MODERATOR: How is this sort of event helping you prepare for the last two majors of the year? You're heading home, close to home. How prepared are you for those, and how are you using this week to help prepare?

MATILDA CASTREN: Well, I had two weeks off before Toledo, like I said, so that was nice. A nice little break at home.

I'm now planning on playing five in a row, so I think this week is kind of a -- it's a little bit more relaxed than a regular week.

I have my best friend and partner here, and she's got my back, so it's not as stressful as maybe the other tournaments.

But, I mean, it's good to kind of keep playing and get in a good flow. I had a good week last week, so I'm just trying to keep it rolling. If I can do it for the whole five-week stretch, I think I can be pretty happy with myself.

THE MODERATOR: Kelly, question for you. You're heading home next week, Matilda, or close to home. You're heading home in a couple of months. Maybank I know is a long way off. In preparing for that event, how have you been helping the Maybank team? How excited are you to play an event at home? I know we've asked this before, but it's getting closer and closer every week.

KELLY TAN: Yeah, the clock is definitely ticking. I just feel like I'm one of the players' voice. They're asking me: How can we make this event great? What are we looking forward to?

I'm kind of the voice of, hey, other tournaments are doing this, and it's at the top of the players' list. I'm giving them a few tips here and there to help make the events great, and I hope that it will be the best event.

We're really looking forward to it. Malaysia has been super excited. I know that it's been -- I don't know. The last event was 2017, so it's been a while since we have an LPGA event, even a golf tournament in general, so I know the fans are really excited for the LPGA to be coming back, especially with Maybank sponsoring the event.

I know it's going to be a fun week. It's going to be a big week. I'm going to be turning 30, so it's going to be crazy.

THE MODERATOR: Love that. Last couple of questions. Easy ones. I remember the last year one of the big storylines here was you were getting married soon. You were the Maid of Honor, Matilda. I know the wedding happened. How was it? How were the Maid of Honor duties? How excited are you maybe to be done planning for a wedding? I just remember that last year.

KELLY TAN: This is great because I've never spoken to her if she was stressed or if I gave her too many -- yeah, I know. I haven't really asked. I would love to hear from her.

It was a beautiful wedding. I wouldn't change anything except my dad and my sister couldn't make it because of Visa issues. That was the only negative at the wedding, but it was a beautiful day.

It was snowing. We took pictures outside. It was –40 Celsius. Everything you can ask for in Calgary. Yeah, it was beautiful.

THE MODERATOR: How was your process there? Did you have fun as a Maid of Honor?

MATILDA CASTREN: I had a lot of fun. I feel like I didn't have too many duties. I got to enjoy the day, and she was beautiful, and everything went really great.

It was super cold outside taking photos, but they turned out great, so it was worth it. I'm still waiting on how did I do as a Maid of Honor?

KELLY TAN: I think you did awesome.

THE MODERATOR: Amazing. Last two questions. Team name and walk-up song, what are those? What did we go with this year? Same as last year?

MATILDA CASTREN: Team name is the same, "Fin-Aysia." And our walk-up song is "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus.

THE MODERATOR: Why did you pick that?

MATILDA CASTREN: We hope to get the crowd going.

KELLY TAN: Just the experience. We feel like it doesn't matter what song we pick. It's the song that if the crowd knows it and it's an upbeat song, then they're going to rhyme at us and party with us hopefully.