FORD CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY KCC

March 28, 2024

Kim Paez

Seville Golf and Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Kim again after the first round of the Ford championship. Just talk about your round today, maybe especially some of those first tee jitters we talked about yesterday and how you handled them.

KIM PAEZ: Yeah, definitely had the first tee jitters. Even carried it on to the fairway. But it was almost as if, okay, I got to the bogey out of the way, let's just play golf.

Got into a rhythm front nine. Driver still felt off all day today, but I started to feel a lot more comfortable as the round went on. Back nine wasn't as strong as my front nine, but was happy to finish strong. It was nice to see I had some myself students out here today and family and friends, so it was a good day.

Q. Just talking to your husband and caddie about that. All the people that came out to support.

KIM PAEZ: Yeah.

Q. I heard a few people might have skipped class to come out and see you.

KIM PAEZ: I was a little surprised. That's okay.

Q. What does that mean to have them out here and be so close that they can come out and support you?

KIM PAEZ: If means the world to me. I was just getting teary-eyed looking out into the crowd and seeing them and they were waving at me and smiling.

So it just made me feel like I hopefully inspired them today and hopefully made them proud.

Q. How do you think tomorrow is going to be different than today?

KIM PAEZ: I just think I'm going to stick to the same game plan which is have fun, shot by shot. I'm come into this tournament with no expectations but just happy to even have this opportunity to be here and feel like an LPGA player this week. I already feel like I've won.

So just going to go out and have fun. My parents are going to come out tomorrow so I'm excited and my dad got me started in this game, so it's going to be a big moment to have him see me playing in an LPGA event.

Q. You had the Ford logo on your bag this week. How awesome has it been to have their support this week to make this opportunity possible?

KIM PAEZ: It's been amazing seeing some of the Ford representatives that were actually at the surprise and -- it means a lot to have their support and encouragement.

It's something I'll never forget. Same with Ping. I know everyone is behind me over there.