Q. Really solid round today. Finished with three consecutive birdies. Just take us through some the highlights out there.
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I think I found some momentum on my putting on the back nine, and my approach shots were a lot sharper on the back nine as well.
Honestly, I really like front nine that I played as a back nine today just fits my eyes a little better.
Q. What's been key for you out here this week? Is it more ball striking? More putting?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: A little bit of both. I feel like this course requires you to hit good shots to execute shots, but at the same time, you have to drop putts.
The greens are soft, so if anything, it's more like a putting contest out there. Anyone can hold the green and try to make the putt.
Q. Walk us through the back nine, your front nine. Five birdies.
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, honestly didn't feel like I made five birdies, but I think I was just really, really in my zone and just kept playing. It was really light for the past two days.
Q. Obviously just recently won or clinched the Rookie of the Year award. What has that done for your confidence the last two weeks of the season?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I've been chilled like just play my last two events, but obviously I've done it some prep work going into this week and I didn't want to stress myself out.
Just take it easy and just enjoy the round out here.
Q. How validating is it to win an award like that? Obviously saw you at ANA kick butt and take names. It's been a crazy busy season. To come out with an award at the end of it is I'm sure very validating.
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: It is definitely. I didn't think I could even win that, because last year I didn't play well at all. To step up and win this award, which has always been my dream to win it, because you only have one shot to win it, too. It's like the same feeling, if anything a little bit more intense, as when I got freshman of the year when I was in college.
So just like you have one chance to get it and you got it. It's just a very satisfying feeling. Like you know you make up your mind to it you can do it.
Q. You seem like a pretty confident player. Did you expect yourself and your game to mature so quickly to win a major and Rookie of the Year?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Probably not, to answer that. But I do know that I have potential to be out there and to be great out here. But to succeed this fast, I mean, this is not even what I can see myself in a couple years down the road. It's been a blast to have the opportunity to be in contention, just keep playing well.
Q. And speaking of that, you're going to be a few shots back heading into the weekend, but not too far back. What's the game plan heading into Saturday and Sunday?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I just really like how my energy was the past two days. Just take it light, and if the putts drop, the putts -- I mean, I didn't really take any shot personally. I really like that about my game. It's been light and just makes me enjoy it a little bit more.
Q. How key is that around a place like Pelican? I feel like things can get frustrating pretty easy out here.
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yes, especially if you keep hitting greens and not making putts. It happened kind of front nine today and kind of all yesterday, but just telling myself to hit good putts and have good reads.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports