THE ANNIKA DRIVEN BY GAINBRIDGE AT PELICAN

November 11, 2023

Azahara Munoz

Pelican Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, Aza, another spectacular day here at the Belleair. Just overall what were some of the game plan you had for this moving day on Saturday?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: To be honest, the last couple Saturdays I've been in a good position and then it's almost like I was playing a bit conservative.

Today I just went out there and I just tried to make as many birdies as I could. Obviously the conditions are perfect to play golf right now, so I know everybody is going to be going low. It was nice to get a good round going.

Q. What clicked for you on that back nine? What were some highlights birdies for you there?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Yeah, made a silly three-putt on 10 and gave myself a pep talk. I have eight holes to go. Let's see how many we can make.

After that I just hit it pretty close. I hit it really close on 12, 14, 15; 17, and 18, really, still make good putts, but hit it pretty close. So hit my irons really well.

Q. How do you keep external thoughts out of your mind out here this week?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Yeah, that's a good question. Sometimes they still come in. You just try to ignore them I guess. Just do my breathing and just try to relax.

Q. For you when it comes to thinking about those past moving days, what do you think did you differently today as opposed to maybe looking past on other third rounds?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: The main thing I did, like I acknowledge that just because I didn't play well last couple times doesn't mean I'm not going to play well today, so that's the main thing.

Then also I know what happened last couple times. It's almost like I was like, well, I'm in a good position. Let's kind of play safe and make pars. Pars are good.

I think that's when you kind of get in trouble, so today that's what I change. I just tried to play aggressive and play my game.

Q. Is your son traveling with you every week?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Most of the weeks. Not every week, but most weeks.

Q. This week?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: No. I needed the week to myself.

Q. I was going to ask, how is your week different when he's not with you in terms of the amount of rest you get and practice?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: It's very different. Obviously I always pretty much always sleep good. Like with him, he's a pretty good sleeper, but you always have a so-so night every week.

He wakes up really early so I never -- like 6:00 a.m. he's probably up, so I never -- not that I sleep in that much, but also he's nonstop.

So when he's not here, like this week I was joking with Lilia today. I said, you know, I took a bath and went to see the sunset. When he's around I don't have time to do anything. I barely have time to do physio.

So, I mean, it's very time consuming, but when he's not here I miss him so much. I always say like I don't know what's worse. It's kind of like lose-lose. I miss him so much. This week I kind of needed to be on my own and focus on myself.

Q. Maybe you just answered this, but what has been the hardest part about getting back on tour as a mom and getting your game where you want it?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: I think that I feel like when he's around I'm really tired, like you never rest well. Even when you rest well, like you have an afternoon tee time but you don't stop doing things in the morning.

I always feel like if I'm practicing, I feel like I should be with him. You know, if I'm with him I feel like I should be practicing.

So it's been actually harder than I thought. When I travel with him last year he was only six months, six, seven months and he wasn't moving. I was like, oh, I can totally do this. Now he's almost two and nonstop, full of energy, and he's very, very time consuming.

Q. But you think you want to keep doing this juggling act for a while?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Yeah, at least for a couple more years. I'll see how it goes. I don't have a game plan. When I don't enjoy it anymore, that's it.

So far I'm enjoying it.

Q. What will be the mindset for you tomorrow in the final round?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Just the same. I'm not going to play safe. Again, I'm just going to -- this course some things are tough so you have to play smart. Also gives you a lot of opportunities, especially when it's not windy like it's been in this week, and I'm guessing tomorrow as well.

So just take my chances when I can get them and hopefully we can finish on a good note.