AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 10, 2023

Emily Pedersen

Mixed Zone

Q. Great round, top of the leaderboard after the first round. Talk us how you're feeling after that start?

EMILY PEDERSEN: I feel good. I kind of went slow in the beginning of the round, and then I holed out on 10 and that kind of started a bit of momentum and I kind of rode that wave a bit, so it was nice.

Q. You mentioned 10, first eagle, only eagle the whole day on 10. How important was that considering you were still 1-over at that point and sort of parring the way around?

EMILY PEDERSEN: I think it was kind of like the kick-start of the momentum. I hit it really close on 9 but missed the putt. It was like six feet and then obviously holing out on the next kind of boosted the mood and kept me going.

Q. And of course two more birdies to finish at 3-under. Was there a target in mind at the start of the day of the score you wanted to post?

EMILY PEDERSEN: No, because I was a little bit not sure how I was going to play. It played quite soft and played pretty firm today I think. I kind of was trying to do my best on every shot.

Q. This week is a big week in its own right, and business end of the Solheim Cup, how much has that been on your mind in recent weeks, particularly this week?

EMILY PEDERSEN: Well, I try to say it's not on my mind, but it's always back there.

But I try and tell myself that if I just concentrate on doing a good job every day and putting in the work that it will sort itself out. I mean, obviously it's no secret that I want to be there. I know I can win points, but I'm trying to just focus one day at a time.