BLACK DESERT CHAMPIONSHIP

April 30, 2025

Ali Mulhall

Black Desert Resort

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome the media center here at the Black Desert Championship presented by Greater Zion. I am joined by sponsor invite, Ali Mulhall, this week. Ali, just talk about being an ambassador of Black Desert. I see the logos on your hat and your shirt. How proud are you to be associated with this place?

ALI MULHALL: I'm extremely proud. I mean, the stuff Black Desert is doing for everyone, especially in the women's game, is phenomenal. They're really starting to move things forward and I'm excited to see where it goes in the future.

Q. Yeah, this place is just absolutely gorgeous. What can you say about Utah golf for those that don't know? This is our first time here in a while on the LPGA Tour, we we're just excited to be back and excited to see what it brings. But what can you say about Utah golf?

ALI MULHALL: I mean, Utah golf is fantastic. I might be a little biased, but I think it's some of the best. The views out here are just incredible.

Q. What can you say just for those that don't know you too much covering the LPGA Tour. What are you about? What's your golf journey been like?

ALI MULHALL: Yeah, so I'm 19 years old. I've won about 360 tournaments. I turned pro in December and now I'm playing on the WAPT, Annika's Tour, as of right now. Then this is my first LPGA start this week.

Q. That is so exciting to hear. Obviously pairings came out, but is there anyone you're looking forward to seeing this week and things you're hoping to see in other pro's games out here?

ALI MULHALL: I'm trying to just soak in everything this week, learn a much as possible from everyone. It's been a little bit surreal seeing all the people I've grown up watching in person and not on a TV screen.

I'm just really trying to take it all in.

Q. Tell me what your goal is for this tournament, other than winning of course.

ALI MULHALL: Yeah, my goal is I just want to really prove to myself that I can compete out here. I want to not only just try make the cut, but also be in contention for winning this week.

Q. You know this golf course pretty well. What you do you think will play to that advantage for you?

ALI MULHALL: I definitely think that the advantage is on the greens, and then being able to play it so many times in the wind. It picks up in the afternoon, so I think that will definitely help.

Q. Looking beyond this tournament what's on your schedule the rest of the summer?

ALI MULHALL: Kind of a bunch of things. I have a full WAPT schedule and hopefully some Epson Tour events sprinkled in there too.

Q. Where do you think your game sits right now? At what level do you judge yourself versus the LPGA versus Epson Tour?

ALI MULHALL: I feel like my game is comparable to the players out here. I'm just young and need to have some experience out here and really just let my mental game get a little bit stronger, and then I think I'm about ready I think.

Q. We talked in October last year. I just wonder, take me back to then and compare from then to now in October when you were named Black Desert Team Athlete, the first one in fact, and now you're up here golfing in the LPGA for Black Desert at Black Desert. Just what are your emotions right now?

ALI MULHALL: I'm just extremely grateful for the opportunity they've given me. I couldn't be more thankful that my first LPGA event is here at Black Desert.

Q. I remember your dad told me that he's often on the bag. Is he going to be on the bag for this tournament for you?

ALI MULHALL: No, actually Julian, who is a local caddie here, is on the bag this week.

Q. You've been here since October and been living in St. George. I remember at the time you said you've been moving around a lot, Wyoming, Nevada, and now here. But you said back then you kind of feel like you're from Utah. Would you consider yourself a local at this point?

ALI MULHALL: Yeah, I definitely would consider myself a local and I love St. George so much and I'm really glad I live here now full time.

Q. And just looking at this course, a lot of people talked about it and your relationship to it. Do you feel like you have a home course advantage? When I talk to you in October you had only played it once or twice. Now I am sure you've had several more times to get out there. Do you feel like you have a home course advantage?

ALI MULHALL: Yeah, I do. I feel like the advantage of just knowing all the kind of nooks and crannies of the greens and being able to really feel comfortable with the blind shots that are out there.

Q. Do you anticipate, do you feel like your game is good enough you'll be making the cut and playing in the weekend?

ALI MULHALL: Yes, I do. I just have to stay in the moment, stay in my process, and really just take it one shot at a time.

Q. I see you have your dad and your local caddie that you mentioned. What do you think that duo and support will help you through this week?

ALI MULHALL: I'm grateful I can have both of them. My dad has been my coach basically my whole life. I mean, he's my dad. I'm just lucky he's here with me.

Julian, I spend a lot of time with him. He helps my dad coach for his academy and I know him well.

Q. You said you played out here so many times. In general what do you think it takes to shoot low rounds out here? What parts your game has to be working really well this week?

ALI MULHALL: Just my length helps a lot. Just keeping it in play is a big part.

And then my wedges, keeping them crisp. I have a lot of short yardages in.

Q. You had a spot at UNLV and passed that up to turn pro after the Q-Series last year. Any second thoughts on that, or you feel you're confident enough going forward with the plan?

ALI MULHALL: I'm fully confident with the plan we have going forward. I'm glad with the decisions we made. I feel like my game is ready and am ready for the next chapter of professional golf.