PALOS VERDES CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY BANK OF AMERICA

May 1, 2022

Ashleigh Buhai

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Ashleigh Buhai after a closing 4-under 67. You had six birdies, two bogeys on the card, 24 putts today. Take me through your round.

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: Yeah, I mean, I played solid. The wind was a little down today so I think it was gettable. But the back nine it switched and I just stayed patient, tried to stick to what I been focusing on, and I got rewarded for it.

Q. What did you find with your putting this week? Started out 30 in the first round and then 27, 27, 24.

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: I mean, literally making the cut on the number, but with about five holes to go on Friday I found something. I figured I was -- I wasn't seeing the line too well when I was standing over it, and I just got my eyes over the ball a little bit more and I made some clutch par putts to keep me in it and make the cut.

I just tried to keep that going, because, I mean, on Thursday I hit it like 65 and shot 1-under. I knew if I just found something, I've been hitting it good, I could give myself some chances.

Q. It's not an easy golf course out there. It's playing short this week, but I don't think people understand just how challenging it is. How proud are you of your effort after you, like you said, almost sitting on the number and then going 4-under in the final round?

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: Yeah, I'm super proud of myself. I think if you had asked me six weeks ago I probably would've missed the cut. I wouldn't have kept myself in it.

I been working really hard with my mental coach and we've got it going now. I'm trying to focus more on process and less about the outcome. As long as I can do what I'm trying to do in that step, the rest is out of my control.

That's difficult. We all say that's what we want to do, I feel like it's finally starting to pay off. I been swinging it well for a while, and then, you know, when it all comes together you're able to do what you did today.

Q. Were you trying to go for broke out there?

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: No, not at all, especially the back nine. It was getting windy and firm, especially the last two holes. You had to play away from the flag and give yourself putts and try and just two-putt, and that's what I did.

I rolled in some good putts, those ones that you'll take. Yeah, so it was good.

Q. Top 10 likely. Still got some players out there.

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: We'll see. There is a lot of players.

Q. Likely top 10, top 15.

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: Uh-huh.

Q. How proud are you of that finish and what does that do for your confidence heading into what is kind of the meat of our season?

ASHLEIGH BUHAI: Yeah, you know, I played well in Hawaii and that was the first step. I hadn't had a good start to the season.

The week after I think I was just a little bit tired and trying to find it again. Yeah, super proud of myself, to be honest.

The goal was to finish Top 5 again this week because I need to get my world ranking up to not try to pre-Q for U.S. Open. I'm not in yet.

I think I'm just going to be just outside, but that's okay. I've still got Founders and I'm doing a pre-qualify next Monday, so I am still giving myself two chances at it.