AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 22, 2024

Catriona Matthew

Mixed Zone

Q. How tough was that out there?

CATRIONA MATTHEW: Really tough. We started on 10 and thought it would get slightly easier on the back nine but we were slightly mistaken. Front nine definitely playing tougher. That slight change in the wind and it's more into off the left now.

Q. The first hole, what did you hit?

CATRIONA MATTHEW: I hit 3 hybrid. Just on the green.

Q. You normally have what?

CATRIONA MATTHEW: Well, I suppose in calm conditions, you don't -- probably just a wedge or something.

Q. Is that as tough as you've ever played?

CATRIONA MATTHEW: It's one of the toughest. Putting's difficult. And then just, you start aiming left hoping the wind is going to take it and sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. Everything is tough. Second shots, drives. Some of those drives, I suppose 2, 3, 4 with all the bunker down the left and you're in danger of starting to aim too far left. So yeah, it's just trying to keep it in play.

Q. (Inaudible?)

CATRIONA MATTHEW: From us, as well, an amazing score. She obviously played fantastic. It's just getting the ball close to the hole was difficult. Just judging how much it was going to go in the wind a little bit and how much bounce and things. Yeah, she must have played great.

Q. Mentally --

CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, nice to be finished I would say. At least it was sunny. At least it wasn't raining.

Q. Lottie is on your team next week.

CATRIONA MATTHEW: Really good player. Watched her quite a bit this year at various events. No real glaring weakness in her game and seems mentally strong. I think the future is bright for her.

Q. Likes a big stage as well?

CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, I think the finish at ANWA, birdieing the last four holes, shows she can do it when she has to.

Q. Is that wind affecting not just drives and approach shots but even on the putting green as well?

CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, I had a 2-footer for par on 9 just straight across the wind and you're grinding over that. Even though there's no break, you're still having to aim outside the hole a little bit. It's just judging how much the wind -- we were just laughing, my putter on' must have done a figure of eight by the time it got back to the ball. Just hoping to hit it.

Q. Still hope for tomorrow into the weekend?

CATRIONA MATTHEW: There's always hope until Friday, isn't there. Until Friday night when the scores are done, wait and see.

Q. What is important to do well in these conditions?

CATRIONA MATTHEW: You've got to do everything I suppose. You've got to drive it well because if you start leaking off to the right you're in the bunkers. I know they are massive greens, but it seems crazy to see you've got to try and hit the greens, but with that amount of wind, it's trying to control the ball flight and when you get on the greens, it's difficult. Mainly you've probably got to drive it well to at least give yourself a chance on each hole.