Suzann Pettersen 67-63 (-14)
What was the difference between today and yesterday?
I think I just gave myself proper chances on every hole. If you hit it close enough on every hole at least some of them drop and I got off to a very good start. When you start off with four birdies in a row you believe in yourself even more and you just try to go for it. I was probably a little bit more aggressive and I hit it very well with my irons and some putts dropped. It’s nice not to have bogey on the card for two rounds.
Is your game close to 100 percent?
It feels as though it is really coming together now and it is at just the right time if you think about what is coming up ahead of us in a couple of weeks. I’ve just got to keep going and keep doing what I’m doing because it feels good, especially my wedges . It feels like I can attack any pin.
The score could have been better?
It can always be better. I have no complaints but I left a couple out there yesterday and I left a couple out there today that I maybe should have holed but I’m very happy.
Does the pressure rise now?
What pressure?
The pressure that you may put upon yourself?
No, I’m just going to go out there and enjoy myself. Of course I feel comfortable playing here in Europe, which is also a reason why I come back. Maybe I can get some confidence and take it back to America.
After yesterday’s rain, how did the course play today?
I was surprised yesterday that it was actually playable and once I got out there it was in good shape. Then sun today and the wind are going to help dry it out and this morning it was very good. The greens were in good shape and hopefully cross fingers it’s going to be half decent on the weekend. The course is in good shape.
Can you compare the conditions of this course to the U.S?
The course is a little shorter I think. This is 6, 1 and we usually play 6, 6. Like I said if you hit a lot of fairways you will have a lot of short irons in your hand. I had a few shots out there where I got a little sloppy and missed the green so it just goes to show that you have to be present on every shot.
Can you talk us through your round?
I hit a very good drive on one, it felt like a very good eight iron and I hit it to about five feet. That was a good start and then I just hit a lot of good golf shots. I hit an eight-iron on the par-three and knocked a 15 footer in and then on the next I had a tap-in. Then I had another birdie on the 13th where I played a wedge to about eight feet. Then I had a little dry spell with two pars before I hit a gap wedge from 100 yards to tap in on the 16th. On 17 I had a par and then on 18 I had to lay up. You feel like you should be on the green in two but I was in trouble and made a good birdie from 100 feet. Then I hit a great second shot into number three, the par five. I missed an eight-footer for eagle so it was an easy birdie. Then I birdied six from about 115 yards to about four feet. Then I had two good par saves from sloppiness. Maybe I was a little tired. I didn’t keep the speed up in my swing and I then I just lose it right so they were two good pars and six and seven and it was nice to finish with a birdies on the last hole.
Are you close to your best ball-striking?
I’m getting very close. I feel a lot more comfortable with my irons, which makes you want to be very aggressive on every hole and sometimes you have to be a little careful. It’s a great feeling. It feels like I can go for the shots 100 percent and its coming along.
After those four birdies at the start did you ever think about a 59?
No, I never get ahead of myself that way. It makes you feel very humble and just makes you try and win harder. The driver was better than yesterday but still a little way to go. A little session on the range and we’ll be good.
