U.S. SENIOR WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

August 20, 2026

Jackie Gallagher-Smith

Barton Hills Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Jackie Gallagher Smith, 3-under 69 first round here at the U.S. Senior Women's Open. What would you say was the best part of your game today that allowed you to go into red figures?

JACKIE GALLAGHER-SMITH: I drove the ball well today. A lot of good iron shots. Tried to play smart. I think it just kind of came from doing all those things, but I did make a couple of putts early on that kind of got me going.

THE MODERATOR: Early on you were 4-under through 5. What was the key to that hot start, especially those first three holes, three birdies in a row?

JACKIE GALLAGHER-SMITH-SMITH: I did hit it pretty close. Well, I made about a 30-footer on the first hole, so that kick-started it.

Then No. 3 was probably key. I hit it, like, a foot with a 5-wood out of the rough, so that was kind of a nice start. Then I hit it close on the par-3, too, on No. 5, I guess, or 4, whatever hole that was.

THE MODERATOR: You've played in this championship many times before. This is your career-low round. How much confidence does this give you going forward at Barton Hills this week?

JACKIE GALLAGHER-SMITH: I'm just going to hope to keep hitting it how I've been hitting it. I kind of had slowly been working on some things, and it's just I'm finding the slots and trying to just maintain my nerves is the biggest thing, but it's a lot of fun. Finally glad get through a really good first round is key, I think.