CPKC WOMEN'S OPEN

July 27, 2024

Mao Saigo

Earl Grey Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Mao Saigo after her third round at the CPKC Women's Open. Just to open things up, a 6 is tournament scoring record. How proud are you of today?

MAO SAIGO: I'm very proud of myself because that was best round probably since I started playing golf.

Q. When you went to go into the round today, what were you hoping for out of today? The conditions have been tough over the last few days and the lowest scores prior to today was 68. What were your hopes going out today?

MAO SAIGO: The wind wasn't blowing much so I was trying to make birdies on par-5s and try to keep my strengths with my iron shots.

I was able to do that, so I was very proud.

Q. 2024 rookie this season. How proud are you to have posted a score like this so early on in your LPGA career?

MAO SAIGO: I played on Japanese Tour for three years, and from that experience I was able to qualify for LPGA Tour.

Just because I am rookie I wasn't going to be intimidated. I just wanted to play my own game, and to be able to shoot this score, I'm very happy about it.

Q. I've seen you've won on the Japan Tour before. What would it mean to win on the LPGA Tour?

MAO SAIGO: When I wanted to play pro golf, my dream was to win on LPGA Tour, so I wanted to make that dream come true.

Q. Curious, standing on the first tee today, what would you have thought would be the best possible score you could get out of a round like today?

MAO SAIGO: I never set target score and I always try to hit the best shot each time. So today I kept the same attitude, and that add up to today's score.

Q. When you talk about it being the best round maybe of golf you've had, what's the secret towards the end of the round to keep in that groove?

MAO SAIGO: I try to keep my emotions and try to hit my best shot and try to do my best until the end.

Q. I heard you chipped in a couple times on 9 and 10. Can you just talk about those back-to-back holes?

MAO SAIGO: On 9 I was able to make a putt from the fringe. That was about 12 feet.

On 10 I had 133 yard left and I hit pitching wedge and I was able to make it. I was very happy about it.

Q. What do you think of the Canadian fans cheering you on?

MAO SAIGO: I was able to feel the energy from the fans and that helped me play well.

Q. You said this is the best round of golf of your life. What's the second best round?

MAO SAIGO: When I won the first tournament in Japan, that was very special. I was able to remember that feeling today.

Q. Were you aware of how low you were going? Were you able to not even think about what you might shoot in the end?

MAO SAIGO: When I think about score I get nervous so I try not to think about scores.

I try to hit the best shot each time.

Q. Similar to that, when did you realize you were having the best round of your life? Was it not until after or did you realize it was the best round in the middle of it?

MAO SAIGO: When I made that par putt on the last hole, that's when I realized I just played the best golf of my life.

Q. Would you say this course is hard? Did you have a hard time today or was it easy?

MAO SAIGO: Because my shots are very consistent I feel very easy today, but yesterday and day before I felt this golf course is very difficult.

Q. How easy will it be for to you reset tomorrow and try and win this tournament?

MAO SAIGO: I've always reset no matter what I shoot, so even though I'm leading tournament, that attitude wouldn't change.

I'll reset myself and play tomorrow.

Q. What do you think when looking back at this round you'll remember the most about today? Since it has been your best round so far as a professional golfer.

MAO SAIGO: Eagle on No. 10 I'll probably remember the most.

Q. Do you know any English? Can you say anything in English?

MAO SAIGO: I'm surprised to play my golf today, so I'm so happy. Yeah, I'm so happy. (Smiling.)

(Applause.)