AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

April 4, 2025

Meja Ortengren

Quick Quotes

Q. How did the course play different today than in past years, if at all?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: I think they remodeled a few of the greens. I played here, what is it now, three years ago, the tournament round. I think the greens were a little bit different, but mostly just like -- mostly the same. The greens were a little bit slower than last time I played here.

Yeah, great condition like always.

Q. What is it like to get the opportunity to play out here?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: It's great. I think everyone who is here is very much enjoying it, and everyone who doesn't get to play here is very jealous. I think we are very fortunate to get to play here, and we are all so happy to have the opportunity to do so.

Q. You're in a good position. What would it mean to win this event?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: Everything. I think I've dreamed of winning this event ever since they announced it. I think just watching it the first few years when I wasn't here really like wanted me to win this. I think it will be a dream come true.

Q. Do you find yourself thinking about this course during the rest of the year? Is there anything in particular you wanted to practice or check out today?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: A little bit. I think every time I see a picture or hear something about the Masters or Augusta National, I always remember my round here, my tournament round, and I think that it's just a great opportunity to play here once again.

I think the shots that I tried to play today were a lot of like long breaking putts. There were a few crazy ones out here, and we had some caddies that really put us in bad positions (laughter) and wanted us to make par from there.

Q. Are some of them just impossible? Or did you manage to put some close?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: Some of them were almost impossible. We had to try them a few times before even getting inside five feet.

Q. If you have them tomorrow, you'll be prepared?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: I hope so, yeah.

Q. So you took a local caddie today?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: Yeah, we all get a local caddie today.

Q. Do you plan on -- who's going to be on the bag tomorrow?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: My brother.

Q. Your brother?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: Yeah.

Q. Was that a close call? Was it a consideration of, oh, maybe I should take a local caddie, or I'm going to stick with my brother?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: I think before coming here I was a little bit like split whether I wanted to have my brother or a local caddie, but once I chose him to be my caddie for Champions Retreat, I decided I'm just going to stick with him.

I don't think the change is going to do me good. I think the consistency of having him on the bag the whole tournament is what I need.

Q. Is it a comfort thing?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: I think so, yeah, it is. Just having him on the bag and being able to talk about everything besides golf is really a big comfort zone.

Q. You've already had the experience of hitting a first tee shot out here in a round, but what do you think that feeling will be like tomorrow with the position that you're in?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: I will be so nervous, I know for sure. I think last time I played I couldn't feel my hands. I was shaking so much. So it was hard to like put the ball on the tee. I am sure I am going to be just as nervous tomorrow morning.

Q. You have all six of your teammates, including yourself, have made the cut. What does it mean to have that camaraderie out here?

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: I think just having the team here and having people that I know and that I know is going to support me is really nice.

Also, I'm super proud of every one of them for making the cut, and I am excited to see where we all end up.

Q. It seems like, when people are close to the lead, there's two schools of thought. Either I'm going to visualize holding the trophy the next day, or I'm going to try to not think about it. I'm wondering which camp you fall in.

MEJA ÖRTENGREN: I think I'm more of a not thinking about it person. I think I've visualized it so many times before coming here. Now I'm just trying to focus on just another round tomorrow and hopefully play my best golf.