JM EAGLE LA CHAMPIONSHIP

April 27, 2024

Maja Stark

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, Maja, I know it was definitely a grind out there today. We've talked a lot about the mental work that you've put in over the last few weeks. Coming into especially the back nine, how much were you truly drawing on the work you put in over the last couple weeks?

MAJA STARK: Oh, so much. I felt like even when I was messing up on the front nine, I don't think I got too angry with myself or anything like that.

I think that just made me just move on way faster than I normally would. On the back nine I just said, okay, let's just keep playing and see what happens.

Obviously went way better.

Q. You've said it's not just about being patient, but how many times did maybe you feel a little tested out there?

MAJA STARK: So many times. I mean, when you play these types of greens that get spike marks pretty easily, then you know that you can't take every missed putt too personally because that's going to happen for everyone.

So, yeah, just trying to be patient with that especially, but then also I was a little bit nervous on the first few holes. I didn't expect that. When that happens there is not much you can do about it. Just get let it take its course and wait for it to blow over if it does. Yeah, that's great.

Q. Nerves? Nerves of being in the final group on moving day?

MAJA STARK: Yeah.

Q. How did you kind of calm yourself in those moments?

MAJA STARK: Yeah, so I took more breaths. Just like deep -- focus on my breathing. I wasn't as good about it as the last week, but I was better than I usually am. I think that maybe made it go away a little faster.

Q. Take me through the birdies on the back nine. How much did that help your confidence going through this round and keep the momentum going?

MAJA STARK: Well, I've kind of forgotten about what I did on the front nine. I think when I don't really react to the shots that much I forget about them way quicker.

So I didn't really focus too much on it. Was just thinking, that's one step closer.

And then on was it 13 again, that's another step closer.

So, yeah, I just took it one shot at a time didn't really think about my score.

Q. What will be the focus tomorrow knowing you're playing late in the afternoon? What did you take away from battling conditions like today?

MAJA STARK: I think I'm just going to try to do what I did today mostly with the patience stuff and take a breather every once in a while. Maybe breathe a little bit before I go play.

Because I was very scared of messing up and that's not a good thing in golf, when you're scared, because then you try to steer the ball way too much and that just never works.

So hopefully I learned from that.

Q. I know obviously maybe not the full round you wanted, but this is the second week in a row I'm talking to you in this manner going into the final day and this is not the first time this year. Since kind of the work you put in, is there some sort of satisfaction to really see the fruits of your labor come when you're having to battle these type of conditions?

MAJA STARK: Oh, yeah, for sure. I mean, after Singapore I had -- I was telling myself I'm doing so many good things off the course and I'm working on the right stuff, so it's just going to happen.

And then I didn't know if it was going to happen in a month, which it did, or if it's going to happen in a year. I just have to like try to keep my card until then.

I felt like I was focusing on the right things and, yeah, I think I just have to be prepared to do this again. So I don't get too ahead of myself and think oh, this is my only shot.

That's just going to stress me out.

Q. 14 players are within four shots. Your thoughts on so many players in contention?

MAJA STARK: It's going to be fun. I think it's going to get easier at least for me to focus on my own thing because it's so close. I mean, we had Grace four shots ahead of me. I felt like I was just trying to chase birdies and that just never really works, and I was focused on what she was doing.

I think it's going to be better. I mean, it's always fun, fun for spectators, fun for us when there is just more people up there on Sundays.