COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

May 10, 2024

Ashley Shaw

Upper Montclair Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, I'm here with Ashley Shaw after her second round at the Cognizant Founders Cup. Ashley, just talk a little bit about the past two days that you've had and what the experience has been like playing in your first LPGA Tour event.

ASHLEY SHAW: This week has been absolutely amazing. I couldn't ask for a better week. I've had so much fun playing on an amazing course, and all the ladies have been extremely friendly. Staff, volunteers, everyone has just been so nice.

I couldn't ask for a better first LPGA event. I mean, I've had a really nice week.

Q. And both parents here; mom on the bag. Just talk about what their support has meant to you on your golf journey?

ASHLEY SHAW: Their support has meant a lot to me. I mean, I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for them. They've supported me from day one. Told me if this is something I want to do they're going to be behind me with full force and not going to leave, and I know that, and they've been true to their word. I know they're always going to be. They've just been really supportive and I'm really grateful for them.

Q. And then yesterday just to touch a little bit on, I had a few questions from media regarding you taking out the driver and woods of your bag. Talk about what went into that thought process.

ASHLEY SHAW: It was just a course management thing. I mean, this course, like I said, it's a great course. My driver on average can go about 310, 320, and out here that would be nice on some holes, but it just was a better option for me to hit the iron off the tee and just place my ball around the course.

It just was a better course management option, and it worked pretty well for me.

Q. Talk about the clubs that you might have added do your bag because you took them out? If you could just talk through what clubs you had in your bag too.

ASHLEY SHAW: So I really just had irons in my bag. Biggest club was a 2-iron, little driving iron. It was going pretty much about the same distance as a lot of these girls' drivers, so I didn't feel like I was losing anything there.

Something I definitely learned from the other players out here, their putting is amazing. If I can get my putting almost about on this level of theirs, I'll be in much better shape.

Q. And just talk about have you ever done that before in a competitive round?

ASHLEY SHAW: I have, yes. There is a lot of courses in Arizona, too, where you kind of have to place your ball around the course to get your -- kind of play like checkers. Just place it so you can make the best decision after that.

Q. Sounds like you've done it multiple times. Do you remember the lowest rounds you've had without a driver or wood?

ASHLEY SHAW: Oh, I think it was actually like two weeks ago I believe. I think I shot 66.

Q. Awesome.

ASHLEY SHAW: Yeah.

Q. And maybe what are the things that you see on a course when you go to make that decision? There was a question for Underrated. I believe you're going to go to London in a few weeks.

ASHLEY SHAW: Yes.

Q. There was a question if you might use this strategy then. Sounds look you kind of evaluate when you get on.

ASHLEY SHAW: Uh-huh.

Q. Anything you can say to that?

ASHLEY SHAW: Kind of depends on the course. I'm definitely looking through some yardage books, look online, see what I can find.

I'll probably make that -- I'll bring all my clubs with me when I go there, but make the decision when I get there. Just got to figure out the course. If it's drivable, if it's one where driver makes sense and the woods make sense, I'll hit it and see how far my ball goes down there.

If not, I'll stick with the irons and place my ball throughout the course.

Q. What can you say about John Shippen and the opportunity that was provided this week and the ability to play in the event?

ASHLEY SHAW: You know, I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for the John Shippen event. I'm very grateful for the opportunity that they presented with the qualifying event on Monday. You know, without them, I would not be playing in my first LPGA event and I'm so grateful for the opportunity that they gave me.

You know, this is not my last time you're going to see me. I'll be back.