PORTLAND CLASSIC

August 1, 2024

Samantha Wagner

Columbia Edgewater Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Samantha Wagner after an 8-under round to start the tournament. Just talk about the day out there. No bogeys on the scorecard, right?

SAMANTHA WAGNER: Yeah, no bogeys. I had a little bit of a rough start. I chunked my first shot into 1 -- or my second shot into 1 and my second shot into No. 3, so I kind of looked like I was a little off.

But made some good putts and then kind of just got the ball rolling from there.

Q. One of your best rounds out here on the LPGA. Just talk about all the hard work you've been putting in and kind of how nice it is to see a round like this come out.

SAMANTHA WAGNER: Yeah, it's kind of tough for me because I lost my status after last season and felt like I had a pretty solid year. Just been working really hard with my team in the off-season and on Epson this year and haven't quite seen the results I want.

But I know the game is there and I was happy to see it all come together today.

Q. I saw you were on the reserve list; got in. You were in the Monday qualifier. Just talk about that journey finding out you were going to be in and the relief of not having to qualify.

SAMANTHA WAGNER: Yeah, certainly always a relief to not have to play your way in. I was on a family vacation. I was like, it looks kind of close. We changed our plans and I got home to Orlando and I was in Costco getting some stuff for my mom and got the email from the rules official.

I was like, all right guys, we're off the alternate list. Got on the plane like 12 hours later.

Q. You were here last year. Anything you're hoping to do this week while you're in town?

SAMANTHA WAGNER: Go to Eem. It's a Thai place. I tried to go last year. My brother swears by it. He works out here. So hopefully going there tonight with my brother.

And go shopping.

Q. And your dad is on the bag this week?

SAMANTHA WAGNER: Yeah.

Q. What's it been like to have him out here as well?

SAMANTHA WAGNER: It's awesome. He caddied for me all last year and all of pretty much every year on Epson. We've definitely got to a really good place in our working relationship which is interesting for a father and daughter.

Even today after the first few holes I was like, I'm sorry I'm a little moody, but you got to give me some positive stuff. We worked really well together after that. It was just a fun day.

Q. What are you looking forward to over the next few days?

SAMANTHA WAGNER: Keep doing what I'm doing. Just be grateful I'm here and keep smiling.

Q. Just talk about playing on the Epson Tour this year, the opportunities it's provided to you and how awesome it has been to play out there.

SAMANTHA WAGNER: Yeah, it's certainly tough out there. Coming back from a year on the LPGA I didn't really know what to expect, but the field has been tough every week. Play has been really great.

I mean, cuts have been just as low as LPGA, so it's definitely a challenge. I think it really improves everyone's game out there to see we're playing against some of the best in the world on the Epson Tour, too.