FIR HILLS SERI PAK CHAMPIONSHIP

March 21, 2024

Malia Nam

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Malia Nam.

MALIA NAM: Hi.

Q. What a wonderful way to start off this Seri Pak Championship at Palos Verdes. How are you feeling coming off the first round?

MALIA NAM: I feel good. You know, it's really nice to come back to a course that I'm really familiar with. It definitely helped knowing where not to miss and where to miss.

Yeah, I feel good. I wish couple more putts could have dropped, but, you know, it is what it is.

Q. You say you've known this place very well. How many times have you played at Palos Verdes? Especially how many did you get used to it being a USC alum?

MALIA NAM: Yeah, probably over 100 times. Yeah, it's really nice that we were able to practice here. We had a tournament here every year. I was able to play that when I was in college, so, yeah, it really helped today just knowing exactly what clubs I'm going to have in and how to prepare for this tournament as well.

Q. Knowing this area and community as, like I said, a USC alum, did you have that event circled on the calendar of coming back here?

MALIA NAM: Yes. I live in California, so I was excited to play on the west coast, especially this tournament, because I was able to play here so many times in the past.

Q. I want to have you reflect on the front nine. Awesome shots there. Walk me through what was working so well for you. What do you think it is about this course that really suits your game because of the experience you have?

MALIA NAM: I definitely think this course is no easy track. I think it really helps if you're hitting the ball well, and that's what I was doing in my first nine. Just placing myself right in the middle of the fairway having wedges in definitely helps.

But, yeah, it was kind of a quick rush. I was thinking we'll start off, get a few pars going, and I holed out I forgot on which hole. I did hole out.

I was just like, oh, my God, the birdies just kept coming. I was like, this is fun.

Then the back nine was a little bit more melodramatic. Missed a few more really good short birdie opportunities. Overall was having a pretty fun day.

Q. Do you think that was a little bit of adrenaline when everything thing is clicking? Did you feel the adrenaline come down, and did you reset after some of those holes on the back nine?

MALIA NAM: I tried to. I kept hitting really good shots in so it wasn't to like I was scrambling. I kept telling myself, obviously you're hitting good shots. My putter let me down on the back nine. Of course you can't make every single putt.

Overall, it was just a really positive experience. Seen some strengths in my game that I've been working on, so looking forward to the rest of the week.

Q. We haven't seen you on tour since the LPGA Drive On Championship.

MALIA NAM: Yes.

Q. What have you been working on to get ready for an event like this?

MALIA NAM: Yeah, basically cleaning up my woods. You know, this course I have to hit a few woods off the tee. That wasn't always my strong point. I definitely want to make that one of my strengths.

Also putting. Putting, it was a bit bipolar today. Made a lot good putts but missed a lot of short ones.

So I'm seeing improvements, but still not exactly where I want it to be.

Q. I have to ask, because I know that surfing means a lot to you as hobby. Do you do fun things like that when preparing for a tournament, or is it more of like I can do that on an off week?

MALIA NAM: Yeah, funny story. Every time if I have the time before a tournament I go back to Hawai'i. I live in San Francisco so I'm not really -- I could surf, but I grew up a little spoiled and don't want to get in the cold water over there.

Yeah, I go to Hawai'i and work with my coach and we always go and have a beach day and not even think about golf. Go surf and eat the foods that I want.

So it definitely I think clears my mind a little bit going back home and working on my game, but also putting myself in the right mental place before I go to a tournament like this.

Q. Did you do that after DriveOn?

MALIA NAM: Yes.

Q. How long were you over there at home?

MALIA NAM: I was there for about two weeks, two and a half weeks. So quite some time. Yeah, there were a few long beach days.

Q. A nice day today. How do you carry that over into tomorrow?

MALIA NAM: Obviously I'm really grateful and excited to be in this position, especially back in LA where it was my home for five years.

But I mean, same mindset. Just go out there and have fun, but also be loose and comfortable. This is a course that I know. Be patient as well. Got a lot more days going, so got a lot more to work on.