KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY P&G

September 21, 2024

Albane Valenzuela

TPC River’s Bend

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Albane Valenzuela after her third round here at the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G. Just take us through the day today. What was working so well for you in?

ALBANE VALENZUELA: Yeah, I feel like I've been hitting the ball pretty well the last few days. Last few months I feel like my driver has been pretty solid. I hit some good iron shots. I wasn't able to convert all the putts but still made a few here and there.

Just tried to capitalize on the fact I could get shorter clubs into par-5s. Overall, happy with 68.

Q. Only three bogeys through the week. What were you doing to maybe keep yourself out of those bogey situations?

ALBANE VALENZUELA: Yeah, three putts. Unfortunately a few three putts. I feel like I just try to play smart when I was not necessarily in a great spot. I was in a lot of divots actually today, at least five divots on the fairway.

I just try to hit the fat side of the green and not be too greedy and just take my par and walk away. So just trying to really stick to my process.

Q. Obviously was a big week last week for you being a rookie in the Solheim Cup team. How are the energy levels coming into a week like this and now contending?

ALBANE VALENZUELA: Yeah, I mean, it was such a blessing. Playing in the Solheim was a dream come true and the crowds on Sunday were crazy. I was definitely a little bit tired of hearing USA all the way. I'm excited to go to Europe next.

But it was awesome. I think it just actually energized me a ton. Had an outing on Monday so that was a little bit of a toll for early in the week.

But overall, I feel great. It's been so fun playing in Solheim. I think it just made me love what I do even more. Just it's such a great job to have. I feel very fortunate.

Q. And you played pretty solid as a rookie last week. Not a rookie out here; rookie on Solheim. What translated from last week into this week where you've been obviously the last two rounds in the 60s?

ALBANE VALENZUELA: Yeah, I feel like my match with Lilia was great. She's a great competitor. I didn't necessarily have a great start. Wasn't putting that great. Didn't putt great in my foursome and just it clicked and I think it was just patience.

It's been a little bit like that out here. I mean, I wasn't putting great the first few holes. You know, kind of silly three-putt and then I just told myself, even if you don't feel great, just stick to your process. Eventually you'll get birdies.

I think that's kind of the mindset I had last week, just kind of believing in myself that eventually will fall everything into place. Trying to do that here.

Q. And now in contention heading into Sunday; played your way into the Top 5. What are you looking for from yourself tomorrow to get that top finish and maybe get that win?

ALBANE VALENZUELA: Yeah, I mean, just trying to make birdies, right? Like I think here there is a lot of birdie opportunities and girls go low, so I'm just trying to make as many as I can. If it's one, if it's ten, like who knows? It's golf.

You can't control the variables. All I can do is really stick to my process, my routine, and try my best.