AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

April 3, 2024

Francesca Fiorellini

Quick Quotes

Q. Quite a low-scoring round today to start the tournament. What do you attribute it to?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Well, I think I had a great time. I had fun with my coach on the bag. Also my family supporting was very nice. I was very excited, and I think that worked.

Q. Is there some surprise to you that you've started so well and you're atop the leaderboard right now? Were you feeling pretty good coming into today?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Well, I have put a lot of hard work into this, for this tournament, but I wasn't expecting this round, but I'm very happy, and let's see what the next round reserves.

Q. Any crazy things happen in the round or any highlights that stand out?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Yeah, in one par-4 I hit a great third shot -- par-5, sorry. Third shot, and it hit the pin, and then it went like six meters far, but then I holed it, so it was a great birdie.

Q. Which hole was that?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: 14.

Q. Breaks like that when you're able to bounce back, what does that show you about yourself?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: That I was very concentrated, and also if something didn't go as I wanted, I just tried to keep focused.

Q. Your last name stands for something. What is that?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: "Little flowers" in Italian.

Q. What's the significance of that considering that potentially Saturday you could be playing at a former nursery?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Yeah, it's fun.

Q. You said in a questionnaire for Golf Channel that if you could describe yourself, it would be dedicated -- I forget what the second thing is, but the third is messy. Why would you say messy?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: In my private life I'm not so -- in school maybe, but also in golf, like when it's rainy, I tend to just don't keep well things, and I'm not very well organized. But today when my coach was on the bag, it was a lot easier for me.

Q. What's the most unorganized you've been on a golf course before? Any memories that stand out?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Yeah, I remember when I was little, it was rainy and I remember I didn't have like my glove for the rain, and I didn't have anything, so I was like -- my club was falling and I didn't know what to do, and I was playing so bad.

Q. So you don't like the rain?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: No.

Q. Did you attend the Ryder Cup?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Yeah, but unfortunately just one day because I had to travel for another tournament after, but yeah.

Q. How was the experience?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: It was amazing. Yeah. Also playing in the Junior Ryder Cup was an amazing experience and one of the best tournaments I've ever played. Also with a team, it's not very usual to play in a team, but it was great.

Q. You didn't lose a match, either, right?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: No. I halved my match the last day -- no, maybe one. I lost one and then I won two and halved one.

Q. Who did you lose to?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: I think it was a foursome, me and Giovanni Binaghi against -- I don't remember.

Q. Have you spent time with the Molinaris at all, and did Francesco's victory in the Open inspire you?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Yeah, he's a great player, absolutely, and I have seen him playing in Turin. He's such an inspiration, and he plays very well. It's great.

Q. Who's your biggest role model in Italian golf?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Golf or in general?

Q. Maybe both.

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Golf I think Tiger Woods is my biggest model, but also Nelly Korda.

Outside of golf, Jannik Sinner. I really love the way he just not acts during the matches but also outside. He's very kind and is a great person, I think.

Q. So you've met him before?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: No, no, but I think -- I saw a video when he just holds the umbrella for another person. It was very nice.

Q. Had you not been invited to this before this year?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: No, first --

Q. Had you hoped for the past couple years that you might have been?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: Yes. Two years ago, but also last year I was very close. Two years ago I was in, but then the last tournament I went in Canada, and I felt sick, so I just had to withdraw. Then I lost so many positions on the World Ranking, and I didn't get in.

Q. What are the emotions of finally getting here and finally getting to participate?

FRANCESCA FIORELLINI: It's great. I really hoped this year to come here and to play against all these amazing players. I have worked a lot, and I'm very happy that I made it.