HONDA LPGA THAILAND

February 25, 2024

Patty Tavatanakit

Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Patty, what were the emotions like getting ready for today's round? Even with a three-stroke lead anything is possible on this course.

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, I got to admit I was really, really nervous today playing my home country, in front of home crowds. But I had a plan on what to do when I'm not feeling my best, and the plan worked today.

Q. What were some of the components of that plan, especially on the opening holes?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, I told myself to stay present and, again, take it shot by shot; try to execute as many putts as I can.

I feel like I always have a good front nine. I hit lots of great shots today. The putter was kind of cold, but I rolled them really, really nicely. The line breaks (?), which was not it today, but I made it all like yesterday already, so...

Q. I think No. 7 was one of those shots that hit the side of the green. We saw that magnificent chip up to one foot, to inches. What was that hole like for you?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: 7?

Q. I think it was 7; tee shot to the left.

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: 10.

Q. 10.

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, my ball was sitting right in the sod area and I didn't get a relief. So I could look at that moment and say like oh, why? But I took it as like, okay, come on, let's just make up and down then.

Yeah.

Q. Then the closing couple holes, No. 15, what was that hole like for you? What were some of the thoughts that you had going through that hole?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, so 15 I think it was just a bad shot. Like overall the commitment, the process was what I wanted to do.

When the ball leaves the club face it was just out of my control, and I did everything you said my control really, really good on that hole.

The next hole, on 16 I was really nervous, but the way I looked at the target was just like a sniper. Yeah, it was really cool to think back and look back at that moment. It was probably one of the best birdies of the week.

Q. I was going to ask, what were you telling yourself on 16 tee?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Like this is one of the hardest adversities I have to overcome in front of the fans after making the bogey. I was just like, you know what? Let's just do it. Whatever it is, bring it on. I'm up for the challenge.

Q. What were the emotions on 18 when you tapped it in for that win?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, it was a lot of emotions. It was joy. It was -- I felt so proud. And a little bit of -- I felt a little tired, too.

But overall, you know, like, again, I had so much pressure on me today just playing in front of the home crowd, and I was able to do that. It was just like a dream come true. It was like unbelievable. Like I still couldn't believe I did that today.

Q. Were you aware of where people like Albane were on the leaderboard? Were you looking at leaderboards at all?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, I saw on 15 and 18 green, and so it was just like that chip on 18 was just like a game with my friend where I just felt like, okay, like I need to make up and down to win the match.

Soon as it stopped about couple inches away from the hole, I was like, yep, I won.

Q. So you knew where you were on 18 there?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah.

Q. Overall, this event has meant so much to our players from Thailand, Thailand itself. What does it mean to you to win in your home country?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: It means the world. Like I said, it's a dream come true, because I was once a spectator outside the ropes and I had a chance to play as an amateur. I played well. I learned a lot from it. I grew from this event.

This is the starting point for me in LPGA. To be able to win this tournament in my home country with everyone supporting, it's just a dream come true.

Q. And you said this is your first win in front of your parents. How much more special is today?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: It's very special. Yeah, a lot of pressure, too, because I want to make them proud. But I know regardless of how I play they'll always be proud of me.

Q. Can you tell us what club you hit on 16? Also, the distance with your approach on 18. Were you just desperate not to go over the back of the green on 18?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I hit 6-iron on 16. It was perfect. It was 176 to the hole, a little into the wind, so I just hit a full 6-iron.

And on the last hole it was 184 to the pin. I was trying to hit -- I hit 6-iron again, but I didn't catch the contact that clear, so it came up a little bit short.

But still a good shot.

THE MODERATOR: Before I wrap it up, I'll just say you go from this event to Singapore. You've won the last two. I know taking care of your body and not feeling tired is something you've been pushing forward to.

What do you take away from this week, last week, as you go into Singapore?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, just feeling a lot of positives here. There is a lot to learn still, and I'm still open to learn next week with the position that I'm in going into next week.

I love Singapore. I always enjoy that course. Again, I just want to go and have fun. Maybe a little bit less pressure because I'm not playing in front of home crowds after a win the previous week. Yeah, I just want to have fun and be open to learn more about myself and the game next week.