FIR HILLS SERI PAK CHAMPIONSHIP

March 23, 2024

Malia Nam

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, Malia, I know may be not the round you wanted, but to still be where you are after a day like today with the wind the way it was, how are you feeling after day three here at Palos Verdes?

MALIA NAM: Yeah, I feel good. It was definitely a struggle today with the wind, but I think it's tough for everyone, so I just tried to minimize the mistakes and keep moving forward one hole at a time.

Q. What did you draw on when maybe those frustrations started creeping in? Did you think about, like we've talked about all week, your past experiences, or was there something you leaned on or thought about when it felt a little tough out there?

MALIA NAM: Yeah, the wind was at some points getting really hectic with the wind. And, yeah, I made a little bit more mistakes today than I did the last few days, so I mean, besides just knowing the course, that only comes in so much. That only helps you so much.

I mean, I just tried to rely on my caddie and talk and not try to hold onto the anger. I play my best when I'm relaxed and we're having good conversation. As much as I was frustrated, I just tried to take a breath and just keep it going, yeah.

Q. On the scale of all the rounds that either you've played here at Palos Verdes or just overall, how hard was today with the conditions the way they were and when can you remember playing in conditions like this?

MALIA NAM: I can think of a few times I played here with a lot of wind. I have to say today was probably the most windy I've played this course, especially with how fast the greens are rolling and the stakes of the tournament.

Of course it's hard. But it's been a while. I grew up playing in the wind in Hawai'i, but I don't live there now, so it took a little bit more me to adjust to today.

Q. When did you really feel the wind maybe pick up a little bit more? Or was it just blowing from the getgo for you?

MALIA NAM: Yeah, I feel like the first four holes I was okay. I felt like the wind was manageable. It definitely -- I think when we made the turn it started it really pick up and hats are flying and umbrellas are flying, yeah.

Q. For you and just where you're at, you talked a little bit about the frustration on the course there, but you're still smiles right now. We are still seeing this calm demeanor we've seen the rest of the week. How hard it was to kind of fight the frustration and how hard is it now to kind of feel the calmness when the wind is picking up and the maybe the shots aren't where you want them to be?

MALIA NAM: Yeah, I think there is a lot of tension, there is a lot excitement in the air. And especially me being a rookie, I'm aware that I don't want to get too hasty and stick to my -- I want to stick to my process that I've been doing.

So, yeah, the wind makes it hard. I just tried to, with the wind, just keep my cool. Of course I want to go out there and shoot a good score, but, you know, I feel like making it on this level you have to learn how to minimize your mistakes, and every day is not going to be perfect.

Q. Did it feel like a test?

MALIA NAM: Yeah. Yeah. (Laughter.) I would say so.