Q. Just to start, can you tell me how it feels to be here this week and how you've been preparing?
ALESSANDRA FANALI: Feels nice. Was waiting for this moment for a little bit. I mean, it's been two months since my last tournament. Just turned pro, so it's a new experience, new career. I've been working a lot with my coach doing some stuff on the course, some wedge game.
So I'm ready to play. I'm actually very happy to be here.
Q. And then being the Stage I medalist, having that under your belt, what kind of advantage do you think you have because of that or do you feel more calm preparing for the week with that under your belt?
ALESSANDRA FANALI: It actually -- I mean, I was happy about it, but it was still like, okay, that's the first step. I just need to qualify to go to the next one.
It feels good inside because you're like, okay, see, like I can do it, too. But, yeah, I feel like probably makes me feel more calm and like happy to play and ready to play especially. So, yeah.
Q. Awesome. And then what kind of learning experience, was Stage I for you, and how do you think it's going to help with you this week?
ALESSANDRA FANALI: I think it's just the way of seeing this week. It's more like it's not a tournament, it's a qualifying, so the way you have to play, it's different. Maybe you need to take some risks, but probably the last two days.
So it's more like being consistent and do a good score in the first three rounds, and then go easy on the last one.
So I think that's my mindset right now.
Q. And then what are your goals for the week?
ALESSANDRA FANALI: Of course making to last stage. I'm excited to play because I have a caddie, too, and my boyfriend is here, so it's nice. That's my goal, first of all.
Then go to third stage, and then I will probably go to European Q-School, too. So it's like first week of the long stretch, so, yeah.
Q. And then for this week, players who finish well but especially complete all 72 holes are eligible for Epson Tour membership. How does that feel, knowing you're going to get some sort of the status if you can just complete the four rounds here?
ALESSANDRA FANALI: It's nice. It feels good because like I just turned pro, as I said before, and it's like, okay, you know, like I can go out and play now for money because it's something that I never done before.
So feels good. Makes me feel better, yeah.
Q. And then just being on these courses, getting to see them, what are you most looking forward to for the four competitive rounds?
ALESSANDRA FANALI: I think you have to be pretty good with irons to the green because it's a little bit longer. It's playing a little bit longer, especially because it's wet.
So you have to be more careful with that. But the course is pretty much pretty similar, so you just need to be -- I mean, it's very wide open so you just need to be on the fairway, and from there go straight to the green, and if you can make some birdie, that's good.
If not, just be patient and go to the last hole of the last day.
Q. How do you think the course is playing considering that Hurricane Ian? We had to postpone it.
ALESSANDRA FANALI: Yeah.
Q. And the tropical storm that came in last week. How do you think the course looks?
ALESSANDRA FANALI: It's actually pretty good. It's a little bit easier because I heard that some trees were in weird spots so it's a little bit easier for that.
But the rest, it's good. It's long as I said because it's wet and the ball doesn't go as far as it could go. I think it's in very good condition, both of them. Yeah, very good job.
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