FIR HILLS SERI PAK CHAMPIONSHIP

March 23, 2024

Gabriela Ruffels

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Gabby Ruffels. What a way to start out, those five birdies in row, four in a row that I saw out there. Five birdies in your front nine holes. Just overall what was clicking from the start this morning?

GABRIELA RUFFELS: Yeah, I putted really well out there today. I kind of knew that it wasn't going to be a very low scoring day with the wind.

My coach kind of told me that, and I knew that I thought it was going to be like 15 to 20 miles per hour, which it kind of is now. But we wanted to get off to a good start where it was kind of less windy. I was able to do that, so I was really happy.

Q. What was it about from the getgo knowing that the wind is coming in the afternoon? What did you prepare for especially with your putts and everything like that?

GABRIELA RUFFELS: Yeah, I just wanted to get out to a good start and the first four or five holes were pretty gettable, especially with the front tee on 5.

No, kind of got it rolling from the start. Made some good, long putts, 15- to 20-footers, and then held that momentum throughout the round.

Q. You've played this course before in your collegiate days. Now to play as an LPGA member, what does it mean to be back here as former USC grad?

GABRIELA RUFFELS: My mom grew up here. This is her hometown, and I'm staying with my aunt this week and my whole extended family lives in this area and I also went to USC. I have a lot of ties to this area and this place. It's really cool to just be around family this week. I feel very relaxed and at home. It's been fun.

Q. What's it been like gearing up for this event? We saw you over in Asia. Now to come back here and continue kind of the stretch of events, what has it been like the last few weeks for you?

GABRIELA RUFFELS: It's been good. I mean, I had a couple weeks off after that first Florida event. Then went to China, then came back, had a week off and just kind of did some preparation, and then came down here on Saturday last week and just spent time with family out here.

And then, yeah, just been here since. Yeah, been working pretty hard and same as usual. Just a couple practice rounds and off I went.

Q. What's the mentality when everything is difficult for everybody? Does it free you up to attack a little bit more knowing it's going to be hard for everybody out there and you're looking to go low?

GABRIELA RUFFELS: It does. I knew the wind was kind of really going to get up around 12:00, and I tee'd off at 10:30. It was just taking advantage of those calm conditions and kind of weathering the storm as the wind picked up kind of towards the back nine and just staying patient out there, which I was really happy I was able to do.

Q. How much more difficult did kind of chilly conditions make this golf course play? We know poana grows in cold weather. Even wind, some of those uphill shots, how much yardage are you really adding to any of those holes?

GABRIELA RUFFELS: Yeah, for sure. I had the Foresight out there on the range this morning. Yeah, it was going about a club shorter, so it definitely takes a bit of distance off. You just have to account for that.

I think I'm kind of used that, that cold California mornings. At USC we used to practice super early, at like 7:00 in the morning. So, no, I feel like I kind of am used to that.

Q. Posted a low one, got up the leaderboard. What's the mindset heading into tomorrow kind of chasing a little bit?

GABRIELA RUFFELS: Yeah, no, kind of same mindset. This course is not easy. I think the wind is going to be pretty high tomorrow as well, so just staying patient and trying to take advantage of the first couple holes out there.