Q. Maddie, 4-under day today.
MADDIE SZERYK: Yes.
Q. Just walk me through what it's like this first day here at Grand Rapids.
MADDIE SZERYK: I started off really strong, three birdies first three holes, and so that was nice to like set the pace. Hit a couple close shots and just hit it really solid. Was always kind of around the green if I missed. Wasn't really in trouble.
Just really solid. Made some good par putts to keep me in it, so that was a little bit of a stressor but relief.
Q. What were the par putts, when you think about them in your mind, the ones that stick out to keep the momentum going?
MADDIE SZERYK: I made like a five-footer for par on 8, my 17. I had like a 15-footer, 10-footer for birdie. Blew it way by. I was like, okay.
Made like -- I missed a couple fairways on my back nine, so then out of the rough it's just harder to stop on the greens. A lot on the back nine, you know, just to try to keep things going.
Q. What's it been like preparing for a tournament like this, kind of a rinse-and-repeat event for us on the LPGA Tour?
MADDIE SZERYK: Yeah, definitely. It's the same. The rough is similar to what I'm used to and very comfortable. The greens -- the type of grass I sometimes struggle with, so it was nice to see like -- I think I'm learning. I think more on this type of grass I'm getting used to it and adjusting.
Q. I was going to ask, why the struggle, do you think?
MADDIE SZERYK: Just they tend to be a touch slower and they get bumpy, and so I don't want to hit it super hard because then like on 8 I had a five-footer for par.
But I think sometimes you have to be aggressive and try to take the bumps out.
Q. For you, this event, this area, is so key and nice. On the other side of the border, last week at the RBC Canadian Open.
MADDIE SZERYK: Yes.
Q. Having a Canadian winner. We asked Brooke about it during her press conference. As a fellow Canadian, what's it like to see that happen?
MADDIE SZERYK: Oh, my God, it was so amazing. I think literally all of Canada screamed when that putt went in. I was sitting on the couch with my grandparents. I threw my water bottle up.
It was so exciting and just so inspiring and definitely gave me a little extra umph this week.
Q. I feel like over the last few events we've seen that extra umph from you. Doesn't take a Canadian winner on the men's side. How comfortable have you been feeling in your game knowing this summer is back to back to back it feels like?
MADDIE SZERYK: Yeah, it's pretty exciting. I felt this week like I was a little nervous coming in and then I was like, oh, I'm ready to go. I don't feel as uncomfortable as I have and I'm ready to play.
Q. Why the nerves?
MADDIE SZERYK: I think -- well just the normal nerves of like, you know, it's a tournament.
So I think that's good, but I don't feel like I'm shaking. It's a comfortable nerves.
Q. You talked about the excellent par putts, patience out there knowing that you're finally getting some comfortability around the greens. What would you take from this 68 going into tomorrow?
MADDIE SZERYK: I think a lot of positives. The game is definitely there. Just to stay patient tomorrow. Could be windier, greens a little bumpier, so I think just to keep -- I was happy with my game plan, and so just to keep the foot on the pedal.
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FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports