LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY HOAKALEI

November 7, 2024

Nataliya Guseva

Hoakalei Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Nataliya, did I see a bogey-free round out there today?

NATALIYA GUSEVA: No, it's actually one bogey.

Q. One bogey.

NATALIYA GUSEVA: On the 17th, yeah.

Q. Aside from the one bogey, just what was today like for you?

NATALIYA GUSEVA: It was great. You know, I was really trying to be in the present because it was super windy, so I was like, it could be like anything could happen today. I could shoot a great round and can not even make the cut.

So you never know in Hawai'i about the wind and everything. I enjoyed it out there. I was playing with Auston and she was playing great out there as well. You know, just taking shot by shot out there because it's like it's a lot of wind.

Yeah, every hole is like super hard playing, like two clubs at least. So, yeah.

Q. Can you compare this course, this kind of wind condition to anything else you've played this year or in your career?

NATALIYA GUSEVA: I would say it's probably kind of like Scottish Open or British Open, but it's just not as cold which is great. No, I am honestly enjoying it out here. You know, it's very like island vibes and you're just going out and trying to shoot your best score in the wind and hard conditions.

You learn with every round something new about yourself, about your game, so that's what I like about this game of golf.

So, yeah.

Q. Some nice highlights on the card today, especially that eagle.

NATALIYA GUSEVA: Yeah.

Q. Talk me through that on the seventh hole.

NATALIYA GUSEVA: I would say probably a hole-out. I holed it out from 110 meters which was probably the highlight of the day today. I didn't even see the ball going in, but, no, it was cool. I like that it just brings you more fire into you and I was just like, you know, just go out there with the confidence and make more birdies.

So, yeah.

Q. Being at the top of the leaderboard going into the third day, what do you draw on in this kind of contention?

NATALIYA GUSEVA: Just trying not to expect anything from it. But actually me and my mom, we kind of had a little deal at the beginning of the year. If I win on the LPGA -- so I actually wanted to buy a Cocker Spaniel and she was like I'll buy it for you but you have to win on the LPGA Tour.

So that's kind of -- I'm just thinking about that. I just really want my Cocker Spaniel with me. I'm not thinking about the win but I will think about the dog, yeah.

Q. I love that. We've heard of cats if you win majors and now dogs if you win on the LPGA Tour as well. What will you focus on tomorrow during this third round?

NATALIYA GUSEVA: It's just being in the moment. I know it's kind of a lot of pressure when you play with the leaders, but anything can happen in this wind and this condition. So just taking it shot by shot. You know, when you keep it fun out there you always enjoy it on the golf course, so I'll just try and keep it fun and not too expect anything and thinking about the dog as well. (Laughter.)