BUICK LPGA SHANGHAI

October 13, 2023

Azahara Munoz

Qizhong Garden Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, Aza, very impressive day two here. Going in knowing that it was going to be a little bit more wet than yesterday, what was the game plan going into today?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: No really game plan. It was definitely raining, but like fortunately didn't get to be too bad so it was never super uncomfortable, but it was definitely there. It made greens a bit softer so I feel like we could be more aggressive.

Q. When did you feel the momentum kick up for you?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: It kind of was from the beginning. First hole I made a nice up and down and I actually almost chipped in. Ever since then I start hitting it really good. On 2, hit is super close; didn't make it. On 3 hitting it really close; made it. On 4, the same thing.

After that, I just kind of kept trotting along and never got myself in trouble and just made a few more birdies.

Q. To be able to close like you did on 18, walk us through that.

AZAHARA MUNOZ: I hit my driver a bit on the right, and it was kind of like uncomfortable shot. I hit a really nice one but it just came short of the green. It was a pretty simple up and down, but still obviously nice to make it. You don't expect that.

Q. To be able to climb the leaderboard like you did today, what kind of confidence does that give you going into the weekend?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: A lot. I've been playing pretty good lately, but I don't seem to be able to put everything together on the same day. You know, these couple days I've been hitting my driver really well, hitting my irons good enough, and I've been making enough putts.

So that's actually been the difference. Like kind of putting the putting together when I've been hitting it good, so that's really nice.

Q. And I know you didn't get in until Tuesday. How much practice did you get on the course before teeing it up?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Just the pro-am on Wednesday. Played this tournament I think it was 2018 and '19 so I knew the course. I have a good caddie, so Wednesday was good enough.

Q. Is this the first big trip without the little one with you?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Yeah, actually did -- Ireland I went on my own as well because it's just a little farther than going to Canada. This is the longest I've been away, yeah.

Q. I think 101 on the Race to the CME Globe. Is that something that was in your mind as you packed and got ready for this event?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Yeah, definitely. You know, obviously when I'm out there I don't know to think about it, but I know I'm 101. I just sign up for Q-Series so I'm definitely very aware.

Unfortunately I don't like being in this situation. It's kind of like the first time I find myself in this situation, but hopefully I can have a good weekend and then I can forget about it.

Q. A very quick turnaround for you, but being back in Shanghai, like you said, you were in the first two editions of this event, to see the LPGA Tour back here in Shanghai, what's it like for you as someone that was here the previous two times.

AZAHARA MUNOZ: It's really nice. Obviously with COVID and everything things happen and we couldn't come, but I think we're all very happy to be back in such an amazing city like Shanghai.