DOW GREAT LAKES BAY INVITATIONAL

July 19, 2023

Matilda Castren

Kelly Tan

Midland Country Club

Press Conference

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THE MODERATOR: Here again with Matilda Castren and Kelly Tan. Like you never left here in Midland, Michigan. Another great round here for you. Your fifth in a row after last year's performance. How easy was it today just having those memories back from last year? You just play this course really well.

KELLY Tan: Yeah, I felt like I was way more comfortable today than last year the first round, but I think that helps, and also knowing those good memories

And, you know, you go up to the hole, and you kind of are saying, oh, last year I chipped in from here and stuff like that. You have those good memories, so that helps with -- actually calms me down and makes me happy and excited all day.

I felt like we gelled really well today, honestly. She struck the ball so good. I had the chance to make the putt. And, I mean, I think vice versa. We both played pretty good today. There's no complaints.

MATILDA CASTREN: I think she hit the ball really well today too, so that definitely gave me a lot of comfort. I knew she was going to hit it close. I mean, I don't think you missed any fairways.

So, I mean, like she said, we just kind of match really well together today.

THE MODERATOR: You guys talk a lot about your friendship helping this be a strong team, but what is it about each of your games that you think helps compliment each other?

KELLY TAN: I'll go first just to talk about Matilda. I know she's a great ball striker and a great putter, so that gives me comfort.

When she's standing over any shot, I know she's going to do her best, and the result will be there. She's going to give me good looks, so that gives me instant comfort. I think that's a really good straight trait for me to have her as my partner.

MATILDA CASTREN: Yeah, I could do the same thing for her, but I'm also going to add that we play a lot of practice rounds together, and that certainly kind of helps to relax the atmosphere.

You're competing and there's people watching, but you're still really relaxed. We have each other.

And obviously I know her husband really well, and she knows Johnny by now, so it's just really nice atmosphere. It just almost feels like a practice round, but at the same time you have that little bit of pressure that makes you perform a little bit better too. It's just really fun.

THE MODERATOR: Let's talk about I know you had a little string of birdies there as you're ending the round. What were some of those best shots or best moments from today, those birdies? Anything stand out?

MATILDA CASTREN: I think we finished really well. I was kind of peeking at the leaderboard.

KELLY TAN: I did the same. This is 13; right? We birdied 13.

THE MODERATOR: On the other side?

KELLY TAN: We birdied 13, 15, 17, 18. Yeah, it was really after that shot.

MATILDA CASTREN: On 12 we kind of had a pretty good chance for birdie and kind of made an error there maybe. I missed kind of a short putt. It just kind of -- it pissed me off a little bit.

KELLY TAN: Same.

MATILDA CASTREN: I guess it was the same for her because she stuck it to 4 feet on the next hole, and I was, like, wow, better make this putt.

That kind of put a good flow for the rest of the round. Hit some good shots and some really good drives out there. She putted beautifully in the end. So, yeah, it was just a good day.

THE MODERATOR: What do you guys say when one of you makes mistakes? Is it nice? Is it maybe not as nice sometimes? What's sort of that team chemistry when maybe you don't make the shot you want to make?

KELLY TAN: I wouldn't say we're nice or not nice. We admit the mistake we make, and then we kind of just say, you know what, deep down I know I stepped on that tee, and say, you know what, I can do this, and I'm going to stiff it for her. That's kind of the mentality I have.

I feel the same way as her even though she hasn't spoke. We just have that, you know, "I got your back, we're going to make mistakes" kind of mentality. I think being best friends, that's what we have as chemistry. It just really helps. Would you agree?

MATILDA CASTREN: I think we're much nicer to each other than we are to ourselves sometimes.

KELLY TAN: Yes.

MATILDA CASTREN: We're pretty harsh on ourselves, and sometimes you don't hit the shot you want, and you're, like, kind of frustrated. Then you hear -- I hear Kelly saying, hey, it's okay.

KELLY TAN: It's a good angle.

MATILDA CASTREN: It's a good angle. I'm, like, okay, she doesn't think it's that bad.

Yeah, it's just a different perspective. You're always your own hardest critic. It's nice that someone is out there and supporting you. She never thinks it's as bad as I do.

KELLY TAN: I think vice versa because if I hit a bad shot, I'm looking at the ground, and I look at Matilda. She's got her putter and walking up positive, so I'm kind of just like, I don't have to hit the next putt. My partner is positive.

That is kind of a great thing. I feel like we have to take away even when this tournament ends, that's what we have to have --

MATILDA CASTREN: For ourselves.

KELLY TAN: -- for ourselves.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much, ladies.