U.S SENIOR WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

August 24, 2023

Michelle McGann

Waverley Country Club

Quick Quotes

THE MODERATOR: Michelle McGann, 3-under. Just recap your day a bit. What great playing.

MICHELLE McGANN: I hit it pretty good. It definitely is a challenging golf course. You had to think a little bit around there this afternoon. It got a little firmer.

But I hit some good shots and took advantage of them, and the couple of the bogeys that I made were kind of from not playing really, to be honest with you. Just lost a little bit of focus.

But took advantage when I hit the good shots.

I think I made five birdies maybe today and two bogeys. So it was good. We had a good time. Helen is a great friend. I tried to keep up with her. I couldn't, so I just decided -- no. And Patty was great, too.

I had my husband with me, and the whole time we came out here and we said, we're just going to have fun, and we did.

I've been working pretty hard on my game. Just trying to work on my short game a little bit and the long game has kind of come together. I had a little sciatic nerve problem that comes and goes, so I'm so grateful. I can't say enough wonderful things about the staff that we have here, that we've had the last three Opens that I've played, because those guys, we got a little tweak here and there, and the tape totally made me be able to swing freer today.

Feeling halfway decent. I think my blood sugar is 144, now going down, so I kept that good today, too, which is not the easiest when you tee off middle of the day, and now we've got to turn it around.

So overall I felt great.

Q. When you look at the calendar for your year, where does this sit, and where do you plan for it?

MICHELLE McGANN: Well, this is kind of -- this is the only one I've played in this year, the only tournament. I haven't played in any of the Open tournaments. I just felt like I needed to be home. I needed to help out with a few things.

I knew that I would have plenty of time when August came around. I did come out here and play a practice round in June. Having diabetes, honestly, it was the biggest help for me because I could play 18 holes on Monday and then just play nine on Tuesday and Wednesday and didn't feel like I wasn't prepared.

So I came out here, the people were wonderful. I played with two amazing members, and just enjoying your time.

I'm 53. I'm healthy this year. Every other year I've kind of had major foot problems. It's just fun. It's just fun, and that's what -- my buddy Lucas Glover. I say, Lucas, fan, I feel like I can make everything. It was so amazing to watch him play, and my buddy Ken Duke just won last week.

You just try to surround yourself with good people, and I loved watching them because every time you looked, looked like he was going to make it. Today I was like, okay, listen, these greens are a little quicker, so it's going to be a little bit more challenging.

But you know, I did my best. I made some good ones and left a couple, but overall, just happy. Get something to eat. It's a quick turnaround.

Q. I know you've been in this position in the past and it's only Thursday, but it's probably been a while since you slept on what looks like the lead. How will that feel tonight?

MICHELLE McGANN: Well, it's a long road ahead of us. You always like to get a good round in the first day, especially coming from the East Coast. I was here last week. I was able to adjust to the time a little bit better. I've been here a week.

Listen, we're going to have fun. We're going to have -- we'll sleep well because it's not as hilly as the last two years, but it's a little sneaky, plus it got a little warm. I'm sure it's going to be a little cooler in the morning like it was when we got out here, and I thought, gosh, I didn't bring -- but we'll just keep having fun.

Q. It seems like the heat is going to be here in the afternoon for the rest of the week. Do you think the course is going to get firmer and faster?

MICHELLE McGANN: It definitely has. I don't know what the water situation is, but it doesn't look like they've been watering. But honestly, I felt like the greens really held pretty good.

It's hard because you play on Monday, and even Tuesday and even Wednesday your adrenaline and your swing is so different. Your club head speed picks up.

Some of the holes that I was hitting maybe 5-wood into or 5-hybrid, I actually was hitting like a 9 or a wedge today. Just completely different. The wind was a little different.

Yeah, it's going to get quicker. I mean, it's a U.S. Open; why wouldn't it get quicker?