FORD CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY KCC

March 28, 2024

Pajaree Anannarukarn

Seville Golf and Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Pajaree after her first round to the Ford Championship. 9-under today, leader in the clubhouse. Can you talk about your round and the five birdies you had coming down the stretch?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: It was a great day out there. I actually was in the zone. I didn't realize that I holed my fifth birdie in a row on the 9th green, but it was a great day.

Q. Were you aware of how low you were at any point today?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: I think I was aware after I birdied the 18th, the front nine. I think it was a good nine. Bogey-free, came out with 3-under par going into the back nine. I played some really good shots today. Hit a lot of good driver off the tee and gave me a lot of benefit just going into the green with short irons.

I was able to just hit some good long irons in as well, so that helped.

Q. Was that kind of your game plan coming into this week after having some practice rounds and playing in the pro-am?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: Trying to get the distant I would say because this week there is a lot of bounce on the green because it's getting warmer going into the weekend and tomorrow compared to the pro-am.

So I think that just what I've been like trying to see the numbers, just hitting, practicing and see.

Q. And we were just talking, but there is a few comparisons between this course and Shadow Creek, where you won last year and where we are headed next week. Did you notice any comparisons at all?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: I would say the firmness of the course. The condition's really similar to Las Vegas. I feel like if you can get the good number into most of the shots going into the green that's just really helpful.

I think I got a really good number today. Just really helped me with the putts as well.

Q. And not to jump ahead, but how excited are you to return next week as defending champion, especially seeing numbers like this ahead of next week?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: I mean, it's not that I won the tournament that I was looking forward to go back, but Shadow Creek is always one of my favorite stop on tour, so I really, really looking forward to next week.

Just try to not to be excited -- too excited, but just can't wait.