AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 20, 2021

Lexi Thompson

Mixed Zone

Q. How would you assess your round today?

LEXI THOMPSON: It was pretty steady. Made a lot of about birdies on the front, and it's key to take advantage of the few birdie holes out there because on the back nine, there are just a few par holes and you have to take it and run. Very important to stay in the moment out there and I'm having a good time with Paul on the bag and taking every bit of local knowledge out there.

I'm very comfortable. Obviously they are a little slower than what we are used to because we can't get them too fast because of the wind but they are rolling so good. I knew coming into the week, if I got a feel for the lags especially off the greens, because you're not doing much chipping unless you're going over a bunker. Just getting a feel for the speeds and taking it one shot at a time, but I love the greens. They are rolling amazing.

Q. The shot on --

LEXI THOMPSON: I looked over to Paul and like, do you think it's worth it because it was a decent lie, put my club behind it, and I think it's a little bit of a jumper and I was in between, and I didn't want to take less than a 6-iron because of the burn there. I hit a good shot and it came out nicely, nice and high and stopped quickly on the green, but definitely taking that shot and running.

Q. Thoughts on the weekend ahead?

LEXI THOMPSON: I'm really looking forward to the weekend. This is just a very special place. This golf course is amazing and I knew that coming into the week, so I was really looking forward to it and hopefully we get some decent weather coming in Saturday and Sunday. There might be a little bit of rain but we'll see. I'm looking forward to going out there and have a good time like the last two days.

Q. Have you ever taken a local caddie?

LEXI THOMPSON: Once at Kingsbarns, but not too often. It's been great. He knows the golf course like the back of his hand and fully trust him.

Q. After what happened in Tokyo?

LEXI THOMPSON: It was the first day and it was 97 degrees, feels like 111 and it was just brutal. Like you couldn't drink enough water. I'm from Florida and it's probably the hottest I've ever played in. He's doing better now but it's scary, what caddies go through, especially in that heat, it's tough.

Q. Has there been a shot --

LEXI THOMPSON: I don't think I can really pinpoint one. All of my shots have been very important with his advice because he tells me how it's going to bounce in front of the green and how it's going to roll up and where I should land it. I'm fully trusting him on his numbers and whether to hit it left or right of the pin and he's been spot on.

Q. Any language problems? Any language difficulties?

LEXI THOMPSON: No, I think he's talking a little bit slower for me, though. No cars over here for me. But I can understand him pretty well. So he might be talking a little bit slower and not be telling me, but we're good.

Q. Do you feel like you have any point to prove after the U.S. Open because a lot of people had so much to say about that. Does that affect you in any way?

LEXI THOMPSON: I don't feel like I have any point to prove. I feel like I've done that already in my career. I don't think I really honestly have to prove anything out here. Just coming out here, just trying to do my best, things like the (U.S.) Open happen, but I played some great golf the whole week. I enjoyed every bit of it and Yuka played amazing golf that whole week and I enjoyed watching her play, as well.

I'll just take it one tournament at a time. Golf is such a crazy up-and-down game. You just have to take the downs and go with a positive attitude going into the next one and don't let it compound.

Q. How low was it after that? Did you let it affect you?

LEXI THOMPSON: If I wasn't working so much on my mental game, it would probably put me in a pretty down spot but I just took it as the whole week I played amazing golf and had a lot of fun on the golf course and that was big for me and I enjoyed having the fans there. Having the fans there after really helped. I took the positives from it and I played great golf, and I had to play next week, so I couldn't let it affect me.

Q. And he's wearing the PUMA?

LEXI THOMPSON: He's got to wear PUMA if he's on my side.

Q. Your brother --

LEXI THOMPSON: I'm happy for him, I tried to stay as long as I could watching that final round and it ended up coming on at 11 o'clock at night. I'm happy for him, he's worked extremely hard and gone through slumps as well and just the last few years between the workouts and practise and working with his coach, it's paid off, and I think he'll do so good out there and he's just in a good head space. He's the most talented out of us all and we're very proud of him.

I'm just on the back burner. I want him to take the wave all the way to the top. I can't be more proud of both my brothers. I'm just very blessed to have them in my life.