DANA OPEN PRESENTED BY MARATHON

July 18, 2024

Mary Mulcahy

Highland Meadows Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. First time on the LPGA Tour. What did this first round feel like for you?

MARY MULCAHY: Honestly felt pretty good. I mean, I didn't really play as well as I hoped I would play. But, I mean, I can't really ask for much. My first time out here I really felt comfortable. I never felt nervous. I made a lot of putts on the front nine.

They weren't falling on the back nine.

So, yeah, I can't really ask for much more right now.

Q. University of Findlay logo. How proud are you to represent your school here on the biggest stage in LPGA at the top level?

MARY MULCAHY: Yeah, I mean, I don't think anyone really from Findlay has played on the LPGA Tour. Maybe in a couple events. So it's just really a cool opportunity for someone coming from a small Division II school just to represent Findlay and really show like anyone -- no matter where you're from, what level school you go to, you can really do anything.

So yeah, very proud to be from Findlay.

Q. I don't know if you knew, but one of your partners out there today won this tournament, heather Bowie. Did you talk to her about that?

MARY MULCAHY: I didn't talk to her about that, but I mean, when they announced on the first tee that she was a past champion I thought that was pretty cool.

I mean, yeah, she's -- I think someone said she like started playing on the tour the year I was born, so that was like pretty cool. And just like seeing her and then Gabriella just how they did things was pretty cool.

I think I learned a lot from them today. Yeah, was a great experience.

Q. What kind of things did you learn today?

MARY MULCAHY: That I hit the ball very well and I need to work on my short game. That's what I learned. I mean, just from like watching the other girls here, them too, just from like the 100 yards and in they always hit it to like ten feet.

Yeah, that's what I need to work on.

Q. This whole season you've been on fire pretty much. What has been kind of the key to that?

MARY MULCAHY: Yeah, I think I just prepare the right ways. And I mean, like going into today, I just really like wasn't nervous or anything because I knew that I did everything I could leading up to this. So once I got here, I just was going to enjoy the day and believe in myself.

I think that's just what I've tried to do all year, is work hard leading up to tournaments and then once I get there, just let my preparation show through and just have fun and enjoy being out here.

Q. After the first round, is it nice to kind of have that out of the way and get to really dig into tomorrow's round?

MARY MULCAHY: Definitely, yes. I mean, I would be lying if I said it wasn't -- it was a little nerve-wracking, but it didn't affect me too much.

But just going into tomorrow I do want to hit the ball a little better. I think I can do that just feeling a little more comfortable here, knowing I've done it before.

Q. Has the success you've had over the last, say, calendar year led you to believe that there is something greater out there for you to achieve at the highest level of golf?

MARY MULCAHY: Yeah, I mean, going into this school year really -- or like last school year, I really was just -- I was a good college golfer, but this year I would say I kind of like proved to myself that I can be really, really good if I wanted to.

I think I'm just going to take this year and then the next year just to figure out like what I really want to do. But I think if I do keep improving, then, yeah, I might give it a shot.

Q. Your upcoming senior year; going to Findlay. It's almost here, so I don't think there is any transfer portal talk here. Did that come through your head when you were team national champ and then the individual national champ?

MARY MULCAHY: Yeah, I mean, everyone always asks me that. Honestly not really. Even at Findlay, like the facilities there, the coaches staff, my teammates, all so supportive. I think I just have everything there that can help me reach the next level. So I like being there. I like winning and I -- we win a lot there, so it's just a good place to be.

I think I can reach my potential there, so I just going to stay there.

Q. And confirming you plan to play in the U.S. Women's Amateur in Tulsa.

MARY MULCAHY: Yep.

Q. First week of August.

MARY MULCAHY: Yeah, I just qualified on Thursday for the U.S. Am which is August 5th through 11th.

Q. Did you win the qualifier?

MARY MULCAHY: No. I shot 1-under and 2-under was the winning.

Q. Okay.

MARY MULCAHY: So me and -- actually I won into a playoff. I won on the first playoff hole.