AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 25, 2024

Alexa Pano

Mixed Zone

Q. In the top 10, under par for the AIG Women's Open at the Old Course. That would be quite an accomplishment.

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, I mean, obviously I'm very disappointed that I wasn't able to get the job done today but overall, it was a really special week for me. And after I made double on 11 today, I kind of set that goal to get the round back on track and try and finish in the top 10 and I did that.

So I'm quite pleased with that and yeah, definitely a lot to build on from this week.

Q. What was your headset going in on the first tee? What were you thinking about you were going to try to do?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, the conditions starting off the back were terrible. So on the first tee I was just thinking, hit the best shot you can. It's the biggest fairway in golf. You've got to hit it.

And kind of was just trying to focus on one shot at a time at that point, and I kind of did that throughout the round. Didn't hit all the clutch shots that I needed to today, and that kind of reflected in the score. But I was happy with how I kind of made putts when I needed to for par to keep the round steady and never let it get too far away from me.

Q. How bad did the rain get on 16, 17, 18?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, 17 was pretty bad. We were kind of joking because I think everyone in this field would agree, it's probably the hardest hole on the course, and we were like, what a great time for this rain to come down on us.

Yeah, it was pretty tough and it's also difficult out here with the wind to keep an umbrella. I thought it was going to blow over and I said, I would be so embarrassed if I blue over with all these people watching right now.

Q. You had a bird's eye view of Lydia playing today. What did you see?

ALEXA PANO: This is the second time -- or actually the third or fourth time I've played with Lydia this year, but the second final round pairing that we've played in, and she won earlier this year at the Hilton Grand Vacations. And every time I play with her, I'm in awe. I think she's in conversation for greatest of all time.

But also she's just a really good friend and someone that I really love playing with. It was great to get a front row seat in what is another major championship (win) for her.

Q. What were you talking about coming up 18 in that animated conversation?

ALEXA PANO: I think we were talking about 17 and the conditions the whole week, and we were joking about how any other winds that we feel after this week is going to feel like nothing compared to this and conditions are going to feel like nothing to this.

And yeah, we were talking a bit just about the whole week. And yeah, she's a good friend, and I'm lucky to call her a friend because she's great. We had a lot of good chats out there today.

Q. In this chapter of your golf life -- you just turned 20, what does this chapter in your golf life mean, the Women's Open at the Old Course?

ALEXA PANO: I think it was important that I got a good finish at a major. It gives me a lot of confidence, obviously this being the last major of the year, but a lot of confidence going forward knowing that I can compete. I knew that.

But showing it with my scores is important. I feel like I did that this week, and also, I don't have a lot of experience in links golf. Last week was really my first time playing a full week on it. When I won in Ireland, it was just one day.

So getting these two weeks I think was really vital for me. I learned so much, and I'm looking forward to playing many more of The Opens hopefully.

Q. (What can you take from Lydia's game?)

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, I think honestly I really try and take after just how she is on the golf course and how she acts. She's such a professional.

Also, she I think has one of the best wedge games I've ever seen. It's pretty special to watch, especially as a golfer, knowing how hard those shots are. I think she's such a good role model, not just for little girls but also for me being out here on tour, and I hope that one day, I'll be able to accomplish the things she has.