HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 19, 2024

Alexa Pano

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Like to welcome Alexa Pano after her second round at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Just talk about your round today, especially that hot start on the front nine.

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, it was a really fun day getting to play with those guys. I just had a blast out there. I was lucky to make a lot birdies. That was nice, too.

Q. What have you learned about this course, either how it suits your game, some challenges? What have you learned through practice rounds?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, the greens are quite brutal out here. I hit a lot of putts that I think are going right in and they're not. It's a challenge. That's why you don't see the scores going too deep out here, especially with the wind picking up right now.

I do really like it. I love a ball striker's golf course, and I feel comfortable out here having played it a decent bit.

Q. Just second season on tour. Where do you see yourself either in your confidence, in life? Just how big of a difference was last year's first start compared to this year's?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, definitely a big difference. Knowing people here, knowing what to do when I get out here. I was kind of a mess when I first started as a rookie last year, and I feel a lot more comfortable and got a good hang on things.

I worked really hard this off-season to be ready for this. I think this is the fun part. This is getting to see it all come to fruition.

Q. On this note, comfortability is a big thing out here, especially for a young player. We know you've had a heck of a career. When did things switch for you? Was it after the victory when you had things locked up for the next couple years, or off-season mindset?

ALEXA PANO: I think I started having a lot more fun after the victory, but things kind of started shifting for me a little earlier.

I had a great week at the Mizuho getting to hang out with some old friends, seeing one of my best friends in the world win, and having her on tour with me.

And even just playing in stuff like the Dow, getting comfortable, being around other people, that was really helpful for me. Started seeing some solid finishes. The game always felt like it was trending.

Once the win cam had some more fun with it and some good finishes, and now kind of feels like kind of home out here, you know.

Q. Is it hard to feel like you belong? Let's be real, you're young. Is it kind of hard to feel that way that early in a career?

ALEXA PANO: I think I always knew my golf game belonged. I turned pro for a reason, that I belonged out here and wanted to be out here.

But it's just really proving that you belong out here I think can be tough. There is so many great players out here. You really got to prove yourself. I feel like I've done that, so I feel like now it's just continue to do that.

Q. Off-season went to a Patriots game that a certain Ms. Taylor Swift might have been in the crowd, and actually got on the big screen, was doing an interview. Tell me about the whole experience. How cool was that for you to maybe have been seen by Taylor Swift?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, the Patriots are amazing. Couldn't have asked for a better sponsor. I've always loved going to football games, but never got the opportunity to go on the field beforehand. Finally got to meet Mr. Kraft, it was just a special day.

I do have a little bit of regret, because I got put on the big screen and forgot to say hi to Taylor just in case she was watching.

But that was amazing. I was definitely people watching. Her suite was right to the right and above me, so I was staring up there the whole game.

Q. I heard you doing a radio interview. Talked about how calm you were on the final holes when you won. Where do you think that came from?

ALEXA PANO: I don't know. I definitely just felt prepared for the moment I think. I put a lot of work into everything I do, so I felt really ready.

But also, it was just a pretty fun day, coming from behind, no stress with that lead, so I was just going for everything, having a fun day with my dad. It was my birthday. We were having a good time.

Kind of reminds me of being out here. Just getting to joke with these guys, keeping me loose, and overall just having fun with it is really like -- that's something that keeps you really calm.

Q. As someone who's a big Boston fan, Ray Allen one day, Roger Clemens. It's like some kind of fantasy camp, isn't it?

ALEXA PANO: Oh, yeah, I won't lie. I requested both Ray and Roger, and it was so great getting to play with Aaron today. I mean, I have gotten so lucky.

I was a little nervous yesterday because it's like just me and Ray Allen out on the first tee, but such nice guys, giving such great advice to me and just have been so kind.

This is one of my new favorite weeks on tour. I'm having a blast.

Q. Solheim Cup year. Where is that on your radar? Overall encouragement level on the state of American golf?

ALEXA PANO: Oh, yeah, I think the girls did an amazing job last year. Getting to watch it, obviously Solheim Cup has always been a dream of mine, but getting to really watch them last year really made me want to be a part of that even more. Having it be in the U.S., there is a reason I was working so hard this off-season and a reason I will be putting in so much work out here this year.

That's the goal.

Q. And American golf in general? You encouraged with what you're seeing with the young players?

ALEXA PANO: Our whole tour is amazing. People get out here and watch this, these girls are incredible. American, all of them. I'm so lucky to be around so many great people and players every day.