Q. A nice 5-under today, 67. Bogey-free on the back.
PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Uh-huh.
Q. With four birdies. Looked like you were having a lot of fun with your playing partner out there.
PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Yes, yeah, we are very good friends. I know Alyaa and Agathe since we were 13 years old, so we kind of grew up together in like the golf world, and so it was a lot of fun. Same with my caddie. So we just started laughing straightaway on the first and second hole. We just kept doing that and it was a pretty chill atmosphere.
Obviously we were very focused on what we were doing, but at the time really having fun and enjoying ourselves.
I mean, it paid off, so...
Q. You said 13 you've known Alyaa since?
PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Maybe a bit later for Alyaa. Agathe for sure 12, 13, and Alyaa, I met her when I played the Polo Junior Classic, so I was probably 14 years old. So she was probably a little bit older than that, but I was 14.
Q. Okay. Nice.
PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Played Ryder Cup together, Junior Ryder Cup, and then the Palmer Cup last year together.
Q. What was going right today? You had obviously the bogey-free back nine coming in, and just seems like you're in that groove this week.
PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: I mean, I'm just trying to really stay patient. The front nine was kind of slow in term of play with the group in front of us that was waiting as well, so it was tough (indiscernible) to get, so we just -- I just try to stay patient, stick to my process, and, I mean, I had a pretty -- had good opportunities, birdie opportunities.
I putted okay and I don't know, I was close to the pin and I was patient on par-5s, because I couldn't reach -- I had opportunities to reach the par-5s in two but I didn't take them because it was kind of too risky. My wedging was really good, so helped a lot.
I guess just staying patient all day long. Almost got mad on my bogey. I was like, Wow, chill down. (Laughter.)
So, yeah.
Q. Mad at that back nine now, huh?
PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: No. I mean, I had opportunities on 17. Missed a short putt for birdie as well. I mean, we just -- it was just shot after shot and stick to the strategy and be brave on some difficult shots. Like I'm trying -- basically shaping the ball every single time I hit it.
Sometimes, especially on I think it's 14, it's tough view to have like shaping it, so there are a couple shots that I was really focused on, and, I mean, happy to be on the fairway obviously. But, yeah, just patient and being brave in my decisions.
Q. With the camaraderie in your group, does it feel like a day at Q-School or feel like golf -- like how do you keep your tempo, especially coming through with those big back nines?
PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: I would just say that we're here all for the same reason. I think it's -- I mean, we're all working very hard for what we're doing right now, so I guess now it's all about living it, live the moment.
Because we been working hard before. I know Alyaa has been here for like a month. Agathe has been here for two weeks. So it was just a bunch of hard workers trying to just play as good as they can and enjoying. So I guess it's just about that. I mean, not chilling, but enjoying ourselves and, yeah, it's nice rivalry, nice competition.
We want to beat each other but in a nice way. Very competitive, but at the same time, I mean, we're all working for the same thing, so especially on a week like this. I guess it's a little bit different than any other tournament on that way.
Q. You put yourself in the final grouping. As much as it is a little different of a tournament or kind of similar to other tournaments, do you want to go win it tomorrow?
PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: I'll keep that for myself. Obviously, I mean, I'm obviously thinking about it, but it's more about how I'm going to stick to my process, my routines, and keep the same strategy because it's been working, and obviously trying to still do like shot after shot and just that.
Q. So you think the strategy you have has been working, and if you do it again tomorrow it could land you at the top?
PAULINE ROUSSIN-BOUCHARD: Yeah. I mean, yes. Maybe there are some opportunities on par-5s. Like on 16 I was like I could try something and we were saying it's not the right moment do it. Maybe tomorrow if you have -- you know, you're two shots behind and you want to have an opportunity to chip in next to the green then we can try something.
I didn't want to go in between shots, so I was like either I have a very good opportunity for the green or I just layup. I guess it's a pretty good strategy and it's been working. I'll just keep that in mind and just stay simple. Yeah, doesn't mean easy, but simple.
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