AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 1, 2026

Sara Kouskova

Mixed Zone

Q. How were the nerves and how did you feel?

SARA KOUSKOVA: Well, the whole of yesterday was really tough honestly. We knew that the coming -- finishing stretch will be very hard with those holes, like 15 and 17, but managed to hold it together the whole day.

It was some pretty great shots and we just stayed very patient and just wanted to do what we were supposed to. I think just do the work, and we were -- or I was hoping and trusting that it's going just pay off and we'll hopefully be in a position to make it perhaps on the last one, because it seemed like the most gettable pin from that stretch.

And, yeah, after the shot into 18, when I saw it was like six feet I'm like, oh, we have the chance. Honestly at that moment I think it didn't really matter if I'm going to make it or not. We had that chance and that mattered the most I think.

Obviously it was super great that we made the cut and the putt dropped, but it was just the whole day was incredible. I had my dad there, too, and, yeah, it was very special. We were very happy yesterday.

Q. The outpouring of emotion on 18, not just from you, Jakub on the bag and family and friends watching, what did that mean to have them there and the reaction that they gave?

SARA KOUSKOVA: Well, when I just thought about it, when I was going through the round, already on second or third I was like, well, maybe if I'm going to be in this position it will be fantastic. It made me almost cry at that moment still with the whole course in front of me.

And then as we were approaching I was just very grateful for how we were performing and how we were doing on the course.

Yeah, so it all just came to 18. There are so many funny stories. From the side dad was watching and with my coach Peter they were seeing two rainbows above 18. It was magical. It was that moment that you work for, that you concentrate on, and, yeah, it almost felt like a little win, so it was great.

Q. And today then even par. Birdie finish again on 18. How do you find the round?

SARA KOUSKOVA: Yeah, today, short recovery. We finished very late last night and we were the first off today. So really tried to take care of it last night and go to bed soon as I could.

Yeah, the start was a little rough I thought. I played very solid. Just I found too many bunkers and had to get out of them.

I think it kind of broke off on seven where I hit the pot bunker with my drive, got out and got the 3-wood on the green and still birdied that hole.

That was like, well, if you just do your work, it just showed that it pays off if you're present and patient on the course.

Yeah, then couple birdies dropped in. Again, another hard stretch on the incoming holes, yeah, towards the finish. We just stayed patient again and found two birdies in the end. Fantastic.

Q. On you played in this tournament before. This week how are you finding the experience? It's on another level than the LET. Amazing player services, all the facilities. How have you found the week?

SARA KOUSKOVA: It's fabulous. I think it's the best tournament ever I played. With the whole village around, the whole services that are here for us, it's amazing. I'm very grateful to be here honestly and see that our game progressed so much from last year. That's incredible.

If the score shows it or not it doesn't really matter. I'm really proud what we have done in the practise and it transferred on the course.

Q. Final question: Only Czech player competing this week. Not just flying the flag, but almost carrying a little bit of weight and responsibility. You've always been very complementary of Klára Spilková. You kind of taken what she started and are continuing that now. So how does it feel to kind of be the only Czech player in the field and I guess carry that weight with you?

SARA KOUSKOVA: Yeah, again, very proud. Very proud to see our flag on the range flying, which is great. Honestly, if I can inspire people in the Czech Republic, inspire little girls to be where I am today as I was inspired before, that's the goal.

That's, again, one of the motivations that are here this week.