ISPS HANDA WORLD INVITATIONAL

July 28, 2021

Thalia Martin

Galgorm Castle & Massereene Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. How have you found this week in Northern Ireland so far?

THALIA MARTIN: A lot different to all the other tournaments I've done, and obviously it's the first year being pro, so I'm very used to that amateur sort of vibe, but this has been incredible so far. Learnt a lot already, just by entering here and what to do, how to register, and yeah, it's been great. It's just a different atmosphere to it.

Q. Obviously you've secured your place in this through the Northern Ireland Open back in June, which seems a long time ago.

THALIA MARTIN: It does, doesn't it. Yeah, it does.

Q. How did you find that event?

THALIA MARTIN: Yeah, again, it was a great opportunity. Thanks to the Clutch Pro Tour for organizing this and obviously the ISPS Handa for creating this opportunity. Yeah, it was very nerve-racking, but it's good to be back in Northern Ireland again, but yeah, lovely views, so missed it.

Q. What have you made of the courses if you've been out and about?

THALIA MARTIN: Yes, I feel that they're both similar conditions, but Massereene is a lot tighter, smaller greens I feel, and yeah, Galgorm you've just got to pick your spots and landing zones as normal. But no, Massereene is very small greens, I feel, smaller greens.

Q. With it being a tri-sanctioned event in the northern hemisphere for the first time, it hasn't happened here before but we've had one in Australia before, how proud are you that you're part of this event and you've managed to get yourself into an event like this?

THALIA MARTIN: Yeah, just so grateful really to be having it so close to my hometown. That's the main thing. And yeah, to have the opportunity to be able to have a start that's in your home area is just brilliant.

Q. Are you getting kind of home vibes-ish because we're still within the UK?

THALIA MARTIN: Yeah, yeah, it's been great. I've seen a lot of familiar faces. It feels welcoming and not too different to going to abroad, Italy and everything, so I don't feel too alone out there, so it's just nice to see a few people, see new faces, as well, but no, it was good to see the Brits around.

Q. Obviously it's your first year as a professional; what's it like to be amongst the top LET and LPGA players who are here?

THALIA MARTIN: I just can't believe it. I keep on forgetting I'm a player. I keep thinking I'm spectating. Yeah, it was hard to get used to for the first few days, but now just closer to the event, I start to realize, okay, I'm competing against them, and it's just a dream come true really, and hopefully more to come. But no, step by step, yeah, just good to have the opportunity to do it.

Q. You've played a couple of events on the LET Access Series this year. How have you found joining that Tour and going to a couple of those events and having some good finishing because you're currently sixth in the Order of Merit.

THALIA MARTIN: Yeah, I have to pinch myself to think that the start that I've had, but I think just being on the Tour, it isn't -- how can I put this? It's not too intimidating. That's what I thought, maybe when you turn pro, you see everyone out there, but everyone is just so friendly, so welcoming, and I felt at home really. That's what I think helped, so thanks to the Tour for making that possible really. So yeah, really good.

Q. How have you found your form over the past couple of months, obviously with those good finishes and the fact that you got yourself into this tournament. You're clearly playing quite well.

THALIA MARTIN: Yeah, again, I think it's just helping with the atmosphere around me, keeping calm headed, cool headed, nothing too different to amateur, just trying to think it's a tournament and you're living your dream, and yeah, I think that's what really helped is just getting the mindset of not being too different as a normal day out on the golf course.

Q. In terms of any goals or expectations for this week, do you have any targets or are you just here to enjoy yourself?

THALIA MARTIN: Absolutely here to enjoy myself for every tournament that I play in, but obviously the goal, to try to be able to play all four days, I would say that's my first main goal. I want to wear all my four outfits that I've prepared. But no, that's the main thing, and just step by step and just learn, take it all in, and yeah, try and take this experience in really.

Q. How motivating do you think a tournament like this might be for you at the start of your professional career, to have this opportunity?

THALIA MARTIN: It gives me goosebumps that I even -- starting on LET and LPGA and surrounded by amazing players that I've just seen on the TV, and it makes me want to do more.

Yeah, I think this is definitely the lifestyle that I would love to keep on carrying on really. Yeah, it's just pushed me to keep practicing, keep learning, and that's all that you can do really.