ISPS HANDA WORLD INVITATIONAL

August 19, 2023

Gabriella Cowley

Galgorm Castle & Massereene Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Gabriella Cowley, a fantastic day today. You now lead after 54 holes. How does that feel?

GABRIELLA COWLEY: Yeah, obviously it's great. Today was just a really good day. Felt really in control and just really enjoyed it, to be honest.

Q. Best round of the week here in Galgorm. That must be really satisfying to put it together in tough conditions as well.

GABRIELLA COWLEY: Yeah, I didn't know that, to be honest. I thought the course setup today was great. The last two days was tough, so it was actually a really good setup. I felt there was a few more birdie chances today.

Q. Having never led at this stage in a championship, how do you think you'll handle tomorrow and go about a big Sunday?

GABRIELLA COWLEY: Yeah, I mean, obviously it's things we wish for and things we want to do as much as we can, so I think just keep doing what I'm doing. I'm playing well, so just see what happens.

Q. Very well done today here in Northern Ireland. You spoke about how yesterday was such tough conditions. How did you find the conditions today.

GABRIELLA COWLEY: Yeah, I think obviously it wasn't -- there is still rain and wind, but just wasn't as severe and the course wasn't playing as tough and as long.

The rough just seemed to actually not settle down as much. Obviously it's still thick, but it just didn't seem to nestle down as much today.

So, yeah, thought the course setup and the tees moved forward and everything in the layout was really, really good.

Q. I was going to say, you had quite a lot of chances out there, and we know you're a long hitter on the LET anyway. How was it giving yourself those opportunities throughout the round?

GABRIELLA COWLEY: Yeah, I mean, obviously hitting it nice and hitting them where I want to, so I think that's kind of what me and my caddie just said. Like fairways and greens is see how many putts we can hole really.

Q. You mentioned your caddie, Ben, there. What's it been like having him on the bag?

GABRIELLA COWLEY: Yeah, we're such close friends. Been friends for a while now. He just makes me laugh all day, to be honest. Just feel really relaxed and it's just a bit of a different feeling.

Usually my dad is here and he does a great job, too, but it's just nice for someone to be doing all the work and me just hitting the shots, to be honest.

Q. I was going to say, how different is it to not have your dad with you?

GABRIELLA COWLEY: My dad took the week off and went to go on holiday. Yeah, no, it is -- obviously I still do the same sort of stuff and the same shots and stuff, but it's just nice to be able to relax a little bit in regards of like getting the numbers and the wind and sorting all that out. Just have someone else back it up.

Q. What is it about these events where the guys -- obviously you did so well at Scandi-Mix earlier in the season. What is it about these that you seem to thrive at?

GABRIELLA COWLEY: To be honest, I quite like playing against the guys and being at the same venues as them. I feel like I can learn quite a lot from them, and just understanding what sort of shots they like to play and how they do things.

I feel like these weeks are a bit more open minded and a bit more relaxed and just seem to learn a bit more.

Q. Heading into tomorrow, what's the mindset going in as leader on the final day?

GABRIELLA COWLEY: Yeah, I'm just hoping it's a late tee off so I can watch the football, because that's one of the main reasons.

Yeah, I mean, just try and do the same sort of stuff. Just keep doing what I'm doing and just enjoy it. That's all I can do, to be honest.