Dubai Ladies Masters
Emirates Golf Club
Dubai, U.A.E.
Thursday 13th December, 2007
Round one Interviews
Louise Stahle 64 (-8)
Q. Congratulations on a wonderful round of golf.
Louise Stahle: Thank you. I played really well today.
Q. Did you think the vision 54 was on today?
Louise Stahle: No I didn’t really think that. My putter was going today and I had fun.
Q. Could you see the lines on the greens?
Louise Stahle: The greens are so good. They are rolling smoothly and are perfect so it helps. It was very exciting to come here. This was my first time and the golf course is unbelievable.
Q. Nine birdies out there. That is pretty impressive.
Louise Stahle: Thank you. I just got it going and got in the flow. You don’t think too much.
Q. Did you play LPGA Q School this year?
Louise Stahle: Yes. I got a conditional card. The qualifier was just two weeks ago. I just came from the States. It’s tough but I have some status. I haven’t decided what I will do next year. I’m just going to get this year done, this is my last tournament, then I’ll take some holidays and we’ll see where we go for next year and what the plan should be.
Q. Did you know you were leading the rookie of the year race?
Louise Stahle: Yes I’ve seen that. I’m not thinking about it too much. We’ll see what happens.
Q. Did you feel good coming here this week?
Louise Stahle: Yes. I was hitting the ball really well at Q School. I just couldn’t get any putts to drop. I felt like this was maybe a turnaround a couple of putts out there fell. The putter was the key today. Patience and take your opportunities. There are some good holes out there where you can’t be too aggressive and some where you can be.
Q. You broke Annika’s course record. Is she your idol?
Louise Stahle: Yes, of course. She has been an idol for a long time for use young Swedes to look up to. You can’t do what she has done but she is someone to look up to. She came from a small town and it is do-able if you practise hard.
Q. Does it give you satisfaction to shoot eight-under in a tournament with Annika behind you?
Louise Stahle: Of course. I’m at the beginning of my career. There are three more days to go so I’ll see if I can settle this and be ready for tomorrow.
Q. Have you ever had such a good start?
Louise Stahle: No I haven’t done that before. It sure helps.
Q. Have you had such a good score before?
Louise Stahle: I had a 64 in my first college win in Tucson: the Wild Cat Invitational. As far as professional goes this is the best.
Q. Can you tell me something about Laura Davies – what do you think about her?
Louise Stahle: She is fun to watch and brings a lot of excitement to the game. All these girls, you look up to them but at the same time they are competitors too. I’m just trying to run my race. It’s a learning experience for me. It’s my second year as a pro and first year here on the LET.
Q. How did you make your bogey?
Louise Stahle: Driver down the left in the rough, hit it short of the green and didn’t get up and down.
Q. How was your putting?
Louise Stahle: My putting was very good the greens are very smooth. I was lucky today and got a lot of them in. The longest putt was on number 10 –pretty long – almost 15 metres. The shortest was about a foot at number 12.

Annika Sorenstam

<
Annika Sorenstam 70 (-2)
Q. Annika, two under today. Were you happy with your start to the week?
Annika Sorenstam: Yes and no. I had some really good holes and I had some less good holes so I missed a few shots and there were some putts I left out there. I’m glad I made five birdies. I did not expect to make any more birdies so I’ve just got to stay away from bogeys.
Q. What went well?
Annika Sorenstam: I drove it well. A lot of good drives, fairways. I missed only three greens. Unfortunately there were some that I didn’t make up and down so I’ve got to work on that,
Q. How many putts?
Annika Sorenstam: 32.
Q. Looking forward to the next three days?
Annika Sorenstam: Yes, yes. I drove it well, I feel good. I love this golf course. It suits my game very well. I’ve just got to stay away from mistakes and clean it up a little bit.