THE ANNIKA DRIVEN BY GAINBRIDGE AT PELICAN

November 12, 2023

Azahara Munoz

Pelican Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Azahara after her final round at The ANNIKA. Can you walk us through your round today. Few birdies out there. Pretty steady.

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Yeah, I played pretty steady. Got myself in a little bit more trouble on the back nine, but made some nice up and downs. Nice to birdie 16 to get myself to 16-under and give myself a chance.

Hit couple really good shots coming in. Didn't quite make birdies, but I'm still really proud of my week.

Q. How aware were you of your position today?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Very aware. Obviously I knew coming in this week I had to play well to keep my card. Coming into today I knew it was pretty much set, but I just didn't want to think that. I just wanted to play well and give myself a chance to make it to CME.

I think I saw Grant posted that Lydia needed a solo second to make it to CME, and she was just behind me, so I was like, that means I need a solo second. Unfortunately I didn't make that, but I still had a really good week and I'm just very happy.

Q. What are some things going through your head while you're trying to keep calm while you're playing?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: It's amazing. Like I've never been so stressed out in my life. Like even last week thinking about this week just felt like throwing up the entire week.

I've never been so close to losing my card I guess. Never been in that situation. I don't want to be in it again. Trying to win a tournament is stressful, but trying to keep your card is very, very stressful.

Q. And you performed very well this week with your back against the wall, so just very proud.

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Thank you.

Q. For you, I know obviously the greatest thing that ever happened to you, becoming a mom. To be in one of the toughest positions ever to keep your status, where does today rank, your ability to hold onto that status rank in your career?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Very high. As I said before, like I was so stressed out I didn't even want to play. I was like, if this is how stressful it is I don't know if I want to play golf. It's no fun at all. I'm just really, really proud how I played this week, especially with what was on the line.

You know, I managed to play well, and not just play well, but actually be in contention for the tournament, so pretty happy, yeah.

Q. I think your caddie came over and asked if Camilo Villegas won. How excited are you to see him win after what he's gone through, and do you have any congratulations or anything you would like to say?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Yeah, yeah. Amazing. Definitely congratulations to him. My caddie is really good friends with him. Has caddied for him in the last few weeks.

So I mean, obviously losing a child, I can't even imagine. He's always had such good to demeanor and everybody that knows him knows how good of a person he is and how hard he works, so I just couldn't be any happier for him.

Q. Curious if you talked to Lucas last night? Is there like a FaceTime before you tee off or at night? How do you get into that mode with family?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Normally we do it at night. I do FaceTime with my husband before I tee off, because sometimes he sees me on the screen and he cries because he tries to touch it and cries, so right before I tee off I just watch a video my husband sends or a photo of him. I don't talk to him. At night I do.

Q. What were the messages on your phone then?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Now? That was my husband. I have a few but I just read my husband's.

Q. Congratulations.

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Thank you.

Q. When you have to play well, as a player when you have to play well like that and you respond so well, what's the sense of accomplishment?

AZAHARA MUNOZ: Very high. I don't even know what to say. I literally could have shot 80 the first round. That's how nervous I was. Thankfully I didn't. I been working hard and finally things came together, so, yeah, I'm super proud of myself for this week.

Fastscripts by ASAP Sports...