THE 154TH OPEN

July 18, 2026

Josele Ballester

Mixed Zone

Q. Let's talk about yesterday when you found that momentum and that energy to get where you are today.

JOSELE BALLESTER: Yesterday the final two holes were pretty chaotic, in a good way obviously. As I was saying before, there were a bunch of times today when I was thinking about those two holes and how lucky it was that I was playing today. So it gave me a little perspective on just how to approach the round and just be stress free and enjoy my time out there.

Definitely one of my good qualities as a player is that, when everything is like against the wall and I need to bring my best game, many times I do, and that's what I did yesterday. It was pretty lucky for me to make the cut in those situations, and I did. So, yeah, just tried to play free, and the game responded.

Q. Can you give us an example of that freedom today, what really worked for you?

JOSELE BALLESTER: I felt free since the beginning honestly, although I made a bogey before I made any birdies. Still felt free because I knew that the first accomplishment was made, and then it was just to try to bring my best version, which I eventually did on the back nine.

Hit a really good shot on 8, second shot felt extremely good. After that everything started falling into place. Yeah, I was a little unlucky to finish with that three-putt from off the green, but still happy with the way I executed the shot. So I really didn't regret anything.

Q. For a long hitter like you, do you feel like the short game is still more important than anything else?

JOSELE BALLESTER: Short game in general as a golfer, for sure, but on this course, I think there are other qualities that might be more important, especially just ball striking in general. When you start putting the ball in position and you're starting to play a little less stressful, everything's a little easier. I did a good job of that.

Also, I don't think -- you know, there's many approaches that you're making around the greens because most of them are just putting, with how brown and baked the fairways are. Yeah, unless it's necessary or in the bunker, you're just putting. It makes it a little easier, I guess, in the shot decision.

Q. Your vision for tomorrow, I know you're a student of golf, you studied golf history, but let's talk about golf history. What do you know about Birkdale and the importance for Spaniards here?

JOSELE BALLESTER: I don't know, did Seve win something here?

Q. No, Seve won at Lytham.

JOSELE BALLESTER: Seve won twice at Lytham.

Q. He finished second here.

JOSELE BALLESTER: That's unfortunate. I guess it's just not from the 21st century. I knew that here in '98, '97.

Q. '76 he finished second.

JOSELE BALLESTER: I know in '97 Justin Rose finished fourth as an amateur, I do remember that. Tiger finished third on that one as well. After that, I remember a little more than prior.