AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 20, 2021

Leona Maguire

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Delighted to be joined by Leona Maguire.

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, felt like I played really solid. Didn't feel like I did a whole lot wrong yesterday. Just didn't hole any putts. Spent a lot of time last night working on my putting and my stroke and got off to a really nice start today. It was nice to get a few birdies early and turn in under par, and take advantage of the two par 5s coming in.

THE MODERATOR: You're used to links golf obviously, well maybe not in recent years but something you're familiar with. What was the test like at Carnoustie.

LEONA MAGUIRE: I guess we only play links golf twice a year now. Carnoustie is a proper golf course. Doesn't really matter what the weather is. There's tee shots out there you just have to stand up and hit a really good shot and for the most part I've done that over the last two days, stayed out of all the fairway bunkers there which was key, and yeah, you just have to pick your shots and execute really well.

Q. Just wondering how the energy levels after a busy period, how are you feeling physically and how are you coping with that?

LEONA MAGUIRE: I feel good. We had planned for this. We knew this was always going to be a busy stretch coming off. Yeah, working with my team, with my strength and conditioning coaches and physiologists and all that, we knew Tokyo was going to be training with the heat and then quick turnaround with the travel. Took it fairly easy last week and kept the practise to a minimum and felt re-energised and good to go this week again.

Q. Is it difficult to keep the Solheim Cup out of your mind or are you just concentrating on winning this tournament?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I think I've had the same approach to Solheim Cup all year. I feel like my golf results will take care of things like that. This is a big week. I want to do as well as I possibly can and the better I do, the better it is for Solheim Cup.

Yeah, it's the last major of the year, so I'd like to finish on a high note.

Q. You mentioned Carnoustie, you played in a few of these Opens now, where does Carnoustie rank in terms of toughness of the British golf courses you've played in The Open rota?

LEONA MAGUIRE: It has to be up there with the toughest. It's most demanding probably mentally I suppose, as well. You have to be fully concentrating on every single shot. You can't really play too defensive either other-wise you make it into a best. You have to hit driver on some of the holes and take on fairway bunkers. I would definitely rank it up. I haven't played Lytham yet which I know is quite tricky. Troon played tough because of the weather but Carnoustie plays tough because of the conditions.

Q. Did you look back on any videos of championships of Carnoustie, say 2018 or when Pádraig won?

LEONA MAGUIRE: I suppose any year when the open is on, they show highlight of Pádraig winning. That pitch shot is quite iconic, the one he was able to spin so nicely. And my caddie Dermot has been here for 20-odd years for the Dunhill and British Open, so it's nice to have that extra bit of knowledge there, as well.

Q. Curious, I'm sure you did, but did you play Carnoustie as an amateur?

LEONA MAGUIRE: I played in the British Am in 2012.

Q. And would you like to see it blow this weekend? What are you hoping the weather brings?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I think, like I said, the golf course is tough as it is but I suppose at the British Open you expect a little wind and rain maybe. So yeah, I think it will be no harm.