WOMEN'S OLYMPIC GOLF COMPETITION

August 7, 2024

Diksha Dagar

Le Golf National

Quick Quotes

Q. Sum up your round.

DIKSHA DAGAR: I started very good. I stayed in the fairway. I found a lot of fairways today. The greens were very good, and when I had a birdie putt chance I made some putts. I was going very good on the 16th hole; unfortunately on the last hole I dropped two shots. But I'm okay with 17.

But on 18, it was already same mistake, par 5, going on to the green and you are taking the birdie putt and I went aggressive. Can it be hard, sometimes it's in your favor, and some days it is not.

Q. How is it playing in your second Olympics game? Last time you were the last person to get in the field and this time you were the first. How does it feel?

DIKSHA DAGAR: It's different. The golf course is different. But the mindset and the process is the same thing. Everything is the same but the golf course is different. So you have to adjust according to the golf course and some of the holes are playing very long but it's all right. I will manage it.

Q. You've played a lot and week-after-week, do you love training more or tournaments?

DIKSHA DAGAR: I understand like it was -- I don't want to think about long goals.

Q. Too many weeks in a stretch?

DIKSHA DAGAR: Last week, I didn't play a tournament. So I was working and preparing for the Olympics. And after this, I will continue playing three more weeks which is The Scottish Open and British Open and Irish Open.

Q. Who is with you?

DIKSHA DAGAR: My dad was not on the bag. Unfortunately my dad was supposed to caddie for me but his card canceled so he couldn't be here on time so there was confusion. But it's all right.

Q. He's also been with you for a long time?

DIKSHA DAGAR: Yes, he's like a family.

Q. How does this golf course suit your game?

DIKSHA DAGAR: This golf course is challenging, and it's not -- it's very narrow and you have to find the fairways and the greens, as well. The rough is very thick. Like on the par 5, I missed the green and went into the rough. I couldn't hit inside. It was very thick and you have no idea how much to hit hard. So have to stay away from the thick rough and stay in the fairway.

Q. How proud are you to have gotten off to a good start even dealing with everybody you've been dealing with? How does it feel to get off to a good start?

DIKSHA DAGAR: It feels nice. I was happy, excited and a bit nervous at the same time because Olympic is very unique and big event, and especially you are playing for your country. It is all just a distraction and this is my goal; this is my game.

Q. What has the transition from the deaf Olympics been like tore you?

DIKSHA DAGAR: Yes, in the deaf Olympics, I won two medals and playing -- it's a difference, the players and the people are different here. The golf course can be similar. Sometimes it can be short around 600 yards and here it is 500 yards extra long.

Q. Can you just talk about how you want to inspire others with a hearing impairment to take on the sport?

DIKSHA DAGAR: I never thought that -- when I was playing tournaments, I had no idea what I was doing but when the people come to me, like hitting it and they are deaf like me, they ask, I follow you, and it's very inspiring to see you.

I mean, it feels so good, like it feel amazing, at least I'm walking on the right path and I want to do something better and inspire them more.

Q. How hard was it to play with your mom in the hospital and the car accident? Was the golf course a relief?

DIKSHA DAGAR: It's okay. You can't avoid the accident. It happened. Like it was nobody's fault. I don't know how did I end up but you can say it was part of my Olympic experience. Fast like it was terrible accident but by God's grace we are safe. I'm very lucky and blessed to play the Olympics the second time.