FIR HILLS SERI PAK CHAMPIONSHIP

March 24, 2024

Ryann O'Toole

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All righty, here now with Ryann O'Toole after her tournament here at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship. 9-under over the course of the week. Take us through the week. What were some of the highs out there?

RYANN O'TOOLE: You know, I think I just stayed very patient this week. I made a lot of birdies, which was good.

Going into this event I've had a lot of time off, so just kind of felt like the first event back. So I kind of took the event to see what has transpired over the time off and see where things are at.

I think I felt like I came in with my B Game but stayed focused. I was putting really well so I think that made a huge difference.

Q. Was there anything you were working on in particular in that time off that helped how you performed this week?

RYANN O'TOOLE: I went back to working with my coach Jorge, so we were working on some things. I was getting a little bit too inside, so back to a more neutral path. I like more of a cut shot on the range, so on the golf course it just kind of just squares out.

And then I had been doing some club changes.

And so, I mean, to be honest, I've played one round with the irons in my back right now. I felt like out there was still like wonder how that's re going to go or how this shot feels.

I think they held up pretty well given the conditions and some funky lies on this golf course. You feel like you never get a flat lie, so a lot of thinking. I wish I could have -- I think I wasn't shy, but I wish I could have got rid of the doubles I had. I had four this week, so that's kind of unlike me.

I made a lot of birdies to make up for it.

Q. What does it do to stay patient when the weather is like this? You're chasing, trying to make up ground. How do you keep things in check?

RYANN O'TOOLE: You know, I think I like it when the weather is like this just because I feel like it just keeps someone from running away with it, one, or like someone's putter getting hot.

It takes a lot of thinking, plotting, patience. Like, okay, let's land it here and take the 20-footer or what have you.

But it's hard. There is a lot of thinking. Some of the holes that are very exposed, it's a guess and check. Sometimes you're wrong. Then few putts you're standing over and just see the ball like oscillating just a little bit and you're like, getting blown over, just take it back.

You know, it is just I think staying committed, picking your targets, and whatever happens. You know, like the last hole, you know being it was quartering cross and kind of down and then right before I hit it switched into and I could just see it ride.

I'm like, that's not going to make it.

So I tried to stay positive, stay patience, and it worked out.

Q. I know you touched on it there, got that one win in Scotland. What is it about cold, windy you like besides it levels the playing field out?

RYANN O'TOOLE: I think it centers me in a little bit more and makes me focus a little bit harder. I think I like painting the picture of shots and using imagination.

I think that hones into that. You know, I think sometimes when you hit shots are out of your control. I think at the end of the day as long as you make good contact you can manage a lot better around the golf course.

I think if you keep yourself on the correct sides, miss not guilty the right spots, and really evaluate the wind that you just -- I don't know, I guess for growing up in not really windy condition I guess I like playing in it.

Q. So UCLA alum. Still some golf left to be played. How good does it feel to get a good finish here in particular in front of some hometown people?

RYANN O'TOOLE: It feels really good. I got family and friends out watching, hour and 15 minutes from home, and not too far from UCLA and all the friends out there.

Just to be in California soil, and I feel like I know poana greens very well and I know the break on the side of a mountain very well and how things can pull more than what your eye sees.

So I think that helps a lot. You know, the superintendant did a great job with the greens, club did a great job. They're firm and fast and with poana, that helps.