Q. I imagine this will be a bit of a bittersweet week. Don't necessarily wish you had that the time off, but it's good to be here and get the grind going. How are you feeling heading into this two-week slog?
MARIAH STACKHOUSE: You know, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm feeling good about my game. I definitely feel like I can get the job done, do what's necessary.
You know, I think it's an opportunity for me to kind of put the stressors from this season behind me and try to head into next season on a better note.
So hopefully the stuff I been working on pans out.
Q. What have you been working on?
MARIAH STACKHOUSE: Really just been working a lot on putting and not really anything technical, more so mental. That was kind of the block for me this season, so just kind of getting past that.
Q. Okay. What have you been working on over the break to get ready for these two events?
MARIAH STACKHOUSE: Really working a lot on playing. My ball striking was great this season. Never let me down, so I didn't really need to spend too much time grinding on the range or anything like that.
So really just wanted to spend a lot of time playing. Like I said, I feel like it was the putting that held me back, and so by playing, giving myself an opportunity to see more birdies fall and stuff like that on the course, I feel like that was what I really needed to see.
Q. Are you familiar with these three courses at all?
MARIAH STACKHOUSE: I'm not actually familiar, but I did come down a few week ago just to play all three of them, that way this week would be low pressure in terms of studying the course.
So definitely helped. I feel relaxed going into the couple practice days before the event, and that was definitely helpful.
Q. I saw you posted a beautiful picture of Mr. Lee Elder yesterday. I love that picture with his big smile.
MARIAH STACKHOUSE: Yeah.
Q. Certainly he has meant a lot to the entire golf community, but certainly to the Black golf community. What is his legacy and what do you think of when you think of a man like Mr. Elder?
MARIAH STACKHOUSE: You know, when I think about Mr. Elder I think right down to his last few years, so much grace, so much passion. You know, he broke through the game at a time when it wasn't necessarily welcoming for him, and so to continue to be the champion that he was both on and off the course was huge.
And it's great to see so many people honoring his legacy today both inside the golf world and out. That's a true testament to what his impact was in this the world of sports in general.
So he's definitely one of those trailblazers of his generation, and I'm glad that his legacy was recognized while he was here and will continue to be while he's gone.
Q. Did you ever get the chance to meet him?
MARIAH STACKHOUSE: I did not, but I have read the books. Read the articles. Seen the stories. So definitely be forever championed in my heart.
Q. And I love what you said, it's not just in the golf world, because certainly he broke barriers in the golf world, but in the time that he was in it was more than just golf.
MARIAH STACKHOUSE: Yes. It was way more than just golf. It's awesome. I've seen a few athletes, very prominent athletes in other sports acknowledging him and just figures outside of the world of sports as well, so it was really actually nice to get on social media yesterday in the evening and see just all the positive affirmations going around about what he meant to the states.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports