COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

May 12, 2022

Carlota Ciganda

Upper Montclair Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. You started off your day with a bogey, an eagle, and a double. Take me through the first three holes.

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I was a little unlucky in the first hole. I hit a great driver, and the ball was in a divot. I hit it a little left. Just left, and I didn't get up and down.

No. 2 I hit a great driver. 6-iron to maybe 18, 20 feet and made the putt, so that was a great eagle.

Then 3, great 3-wood made over middle of the fairway, and the wind was right to left. The light is right to left, and I tried to hold it too much, and I hit it in the lake, so I had to take a penalty shot and made a 6, but after that I'm very proud how I played. I'm very happy with the round.

Q. What was going through your mind after 3? How did you kind of get yourself settled down?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: It's just golf. I think starting this year the last few weeks I think you just have to keep going, and I think I have to be nicer to myself and talk better to myself because if you are in a positive mode, it's easier to do things better than if you are in a negative mode. Just trying to be nicer. Trying to be in the present and trying to have fun out there.

Q. Are you a typical fiery Spaniard?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, yeah. I love being feisty, and I like, yeah, fist-pumps. When I make birdies, I like to, yeah, say some "vamos," and I'm one of those.

Q. I can dig that. Let's see, count them, six birdies in your last 11 holes. What was really the key for you there? You only had 29 putts today, but you hit 13 of 18 greens.

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I played really good the par-5s. Eagle on 2. I was on the green on 9. I hit on the green, 2-putted, and then 14 on the green as well.

The other one, I don't know if I am 4- or 5-under on par-5s, but I think hitting the greens is key. It's a great course. I thought it was going to be playing tougher, but the tees are up quite a lot, and the afternoon is beautiful. Nice weather and not much wind. This scores are lower than I expected.

Q. I know the rough is pretty thick out there, but what guards this golf course. Driving around earlier today, it seems pretty straight in front of you.

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I think the course is in front of you, and it reminds me of KPMG course or even U.S. Open with very tight fairways, very defined holes, which I really like because it's similar to me from Spain, from home. I think it requires good golfing, good shots, good driving, and then I usually have to make some putts, but I think, yeah, the courses, they put a lot of tees up, and I think that's why the scores are a little lower.

Q. It's kind of been a slower start to your season. What does a round like this do for your confidence?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: Lots of confidence. I haven't felt that I have been playing as well as my results say, but all you need in golf is to score; and that's the most important when you are out there playing, scoring.

I mean, I'm confident. I think I have to believe in myself, keep working. I have a great team around me, and I think I have to believe in them. They believe in me. Yeah, keep working hard.

Q. Just three days left. What positives will you carry forward?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: Just keep playing. One shot at a time. I don't want to get ahead of myself. Just playing early tomorrow, so maybe a little bit colder and maybe the ball is not flying as much, so just straight to play. One shot at a time and try my best in every shot.