THE MODERATOR: All right, everybody, welcome to the media center at the JTBC Classic. Clearly I am not there with you, I am at home, but really excited that we have got USA Solheim Cup captain, Stacy Lewis, for 2023 here with a special guest sitting to her side. I think you all know who that is.
Stacy, kick things over to you and let you make your announcement.
STACY LEWIS: Thank you, Christina. Well, today is a fun day for me. I get to announce my first assistant captain is Morgan Pressel, and obviously she was at the top of my list when I started thinking about who I want to do this with, and for a variety of reasons.
But I was really glad that she said yes very quickly, and wanted to get the news out quick so we could get the ball rolling and get to work.
THE MODERATOR: That's awesome. Morgan, going over to you, I know you're a long-time Solheim Cup player, Solheim passion runs in your blood. What were your thoughts when Stacy gave you the call?
MORGAN PRESSEL: Yes, I was very honored. I was first excited when Stacy got the captaincy. And then when she asked me to help and be part of the team, I mean, the Solheim Cup has been a huge part of my career, it's always some of the biggest highlights.
I have a huge passion for it, and I'm excited to be involved with Stacy, help her behind the scenes, and bring a great team to Spain next year.
THE MODERATOR: You have been on six teams. You've made a winning point. You've seen this team inside and out. Morgan, what are some of your greatest memories of your time on the Solheim Cup team?
MORGAN PRESSEL: Oh, wow, there is like so many, and some are on the golf course and some are off the golf course too. So muscle goes on behind the scenes in the team room.
Playing an individual sport our whole lives, to have that opportunity to be in a team room and a team atmosphere with some of the greatest players from our country, it's always a lot of fun.
I'm excited to see it from the other side. I would say some of the on-course memories, certainly clinching the Cup in '09. I mean, but then playing in terrible weather in Scotland. It's all kind of part of it. It ebbs and floes, but it's all such an honor no wear the red, white, and blue and have the opportunity to represent our country.
Yeah, I'm just excited to be involved in it again next year.
THE MODERATOR: Spain is definitely going to bring us some different weather conditions. Stacy, you said Morgan was immediately on your mind. What does Morgan bring to the team, and what are you looking forward to working with her on over the next year?
STACY LEWIS: When I was thinking about my assistants in general, I wanted people with passion for the Solheim Cup and people this love it. Morgan fits that part to a T. I've always admired the way she's played, the tenacity, the fight.
I think that's something that I've played with myself, but I think that also needs to translate to our team as well. Of so it's more -- it's kind of more just who she is as a person is what I wanted. She is super organized, which is going to be very helpful.
And also the clothes side. Morgan will be my go-to with the clothes. You got to think about all this stuff as captain. There is a lot of stuff that to go into it.
So it was really more the passion for the event, and that's something that I want the girls -- that they're going to see and all the assistants and out of me, too, is our love for it, you know, and that fight to go get the Cup back.
THE MODERATOR: Morgan, still playing certainly, but really active on the Golf Channel side of things. How do you think that Golf Channel prep will help you as you're helping Stacy figure out who's going to be on Team USA next year?
MORGAN PRESSEL: I think I definitely watch a lot more golf than when I play, so I'll definitely see week in week out who's really playing well, how they're handling the pressure.
I pay a lot more attention to statistics and where different players fall in that category.
Now Stacy and are going to potentially take some time to study the course in Spain, see what might work well in terms of playing style, and just kind of go from there.
I guess I'll be -- while Stacy is out there playing, I'll be the one really watching every broadcast to see how players are doing.
STACY LEWIS: And she also got to see last year Solheim Cup from to the booth and kind of see the ebbs and flow of it, where key things seemed to happen in matches and things like that.
That's another side. I'm definitely going to pick her brain on what she saw last time and how we can do better from that side, too.
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. So Morgan, first for you, what have you appreciated over the years the most about various leadership regimes with the Solheim Cup in terms of what you felt like really worked?
MORGAN PRESSEL: That's a good question. I think that each captain that I've had the opportunity to play under has brought their own style and their own flair, and I think something that certainly Stacy has carried well and she has mentioned already today is they all have tremendous passion.
I think Stacy has taken some notes, and I know I saw her notebook yesterday, so she's -- as we've all learned from playing under different captains, kind of things that we loved and maybe things that we would like to see done differently, and I think -- I mean, I've had the honor to play under some of the greatest players for Team USA, and great leaders.
So it's a tough task. It's a tough task. I'm going to be here supporting Stacy from behind the scenes more so, but I'll be her cheerleader and try to do everything I can to support her and everything that she wants to see come out of Team USA.
Q. Is there anything you really want to do that, you know, you would say to Stacy, Hey, this really fits my brain? Besides the clothes.
STACY LEWIS: I don't know if she wants to do that. I just put it on her.
MORGAN PRESSEL: I don't know if we've gotten quite that far yet. We're just starting to get the ball rolling.
But like I mentioned, I'll definitely be playing attention through the broadcasts and my role with Golf Channel and NBC Sports. I think I will definitely be able to help there.
I guess we'll just see how it goes.
STACY LEWIS: Yep.
Q. And I just have one more for Stacy. When you're figuring out your group of supporters, not just your assistant captains, but helpers, do they sort of come really quickly to you, like immediately you knew you wanted, or do you have pages in your notebook?
STACY LEWIS: As far as Morgan or...
Q. Everybody. I'm sure you kind of already kind of know what you want to do.
STACY LEWIS: Yeah, there has been a couple people that were immediately kind of on the table, and then other pieces I'll have to think through. I really want the environment to be really good around the players and to make that environment comfortable and relaxing and fun.
You have to have the right people, and it starts with your assistants. I realized that last year that your assistants spend a lot time with the players, even more than I do, so it's really important that players are excited about your assistants as well and they're comfortable having them around.
So just creating a really fun, relaxing environment, that's ultimately the goal. And so I mean I'm thinking everybody. You're thinking about helpers, cart drivers, all the people, even your LPGA support staff. You kind of want have to the right people there, too.
So that is kind of our job right now and what we're working on.
Q. Stacy, have you thought about how many assistants you want?
STACY LEWIS: You know, we're allowed to have three. I don't know if we necessarily need three.
If it turns out I do end up playing we do need three. I think I'm going to get two here pretty quickly and then kind of wait on the third and see how things play out just as far as who's going to make the things and things like that.
So it'll be a work in progress.
Q. Have you reached out to the second potential captain?
STACY LEWIS: I have. And she said yes, but we can't say who it is yet.
Q. Morgan, you were mentioning there were some things you would want to change from past Solheim Cups. What are those and have you both talked about them already?
MORGAN PRESSEL: Yeah, I think one of the things that even Stacy has already started is just a little bit more transparency with the players, better communication.
And, I mean, she's already kicked that off from the day before she was announced as captain. I know that's a big goal as part of her leadership, try and be as available to the players as possible.
And, I mean, it's really all about how can they succeed the best? How can they feel the most comfortable out there? It's about the atmosphere in the team room, but it's also the year and a half leading up to it, encouragement for players, definitely communication, things like that.
STACY LEWIS: Uh-huh.
Q. Stacy, what's that communication been like so far?
STACY LEWIS: It's been great. It's pretty simple stuff. I've tried to just get -- when we said there was an announcement coming today, I want them to know the announcement. I don't want them to find out on Twitter. I think just kind of little things like that just to make sure they really feel part of what we're doing.
I got to talk to quite a few players over in Asia about things they liked and things they didn't like. So I want to figure out how I can make the Solheim Cup week as much like a regular week as possible, whether that's practice or just so they can go through their normal routine in a day of working out, getting treatment, or whatever they need to do. I just want to make it as normal as possible.
So I need to talk to them, I need know what they like and don't like. So it's started, and the girls have been great. They've been really open. They're excited about this, too.
Q. Have any suggestions stood out?
STACY LEWIS: You know, the big one is practice and kind of what you're required to do every day. They want more input in the pairings and things like that, which is great. We just need to educate them a little bit more about the process and how it works, too, so they can better help us.
So they just really want to be involved, and that's -- and I think it's a great thing.
Q. Congratulations, Morgan.
MORGAN PRESSEL: Thanks, Keeley.
Q. As Stacy mentioned, you had a different perspective watching the Solheim Cup from the booth. Curious as to what you learned from that and like how you saw the Solheim Cup differently, and if that helps inform you on how you're going to make any assistant captain decisions?
MORGAN PRESSEL: One of the things I saw was a really strong European team, probably the strongest that they've ever put together. I definitely saw that in almost every shot that they hit. I'm not going to lie, it was hard to be neutral, but I tried to do my best.
That was its own challenge in itself, but taking a step back, and I know I spoke to Stacy earlier in the week about how everything was going on, I think Stacy having been now unofficially an assistant captain in Scotland and then an assistant captain last time, she really has a good idea of the ins and outs of what needs to be done and how things need to work within the team.
And I saw that from her last year for sure. You know, I just -- we got to put together a great squad. That's really the key.
THE MODERATOR: You two, you're going to be captain, assistant captain now, but you've got a lot of experience as teammates inside the ropes at the Solheim Cup. What are some of your memories there, and how do you think that dynamic is going to help, do you think that dynamic will help as you look ahead to next year?
STACY LEWIS: Did we ever play a match together?
MORGAN PRESSEL: We were maybe going to in Scotland.
STACY LEWIS: Yeah, I was pretty disappointed in Scotland. I think Juli was actually going to send us out first match first day, so we were both really fired up for that. Unfortunately didn't get to do it.
Just our experience of playing with different people and different pairings. You know, just the ebbs and flows of matches and how it works. You know, she just -- I mean she's had so much experience in it. I just think it's important to get lots of different perspectives, because I think there is lots of different ways to do it.
What's worked for her maybe didn't work for me, and that can help other players differently. So, I mean, just she's played six, I've played five I think, four or five -- made five I guess; played four.
Just the experience of knowing what the week is like and what it's going to be like for players. We just really need to prepare them on that front.
MORGAN PRESSEL: I think that one of the things we've learned over the years, too, is that there is a wide range of personalities within the team and the team rooms and within leadership.
I think that's a good thing, not a bad thing. Like it can really work well for the team to have those different approaches, different personalities, and really work together to put out the best team possible.
THE MODERATOR: I would be remiss if I didn't bring up Carlsbad this week. Stacy, you'll be playing with In Gee and Juli over the first two days. How does it look out there, and think you'll pick Captain Inkster's mind at all about some other topics?
STACY LEWIS: I'm sure it will come up at some point. I already saw her this week and she was asking how things were going. It's nice and toasty and warm here in San Diego, so those who aren't here, you're missing out.
We're here for a great week again. Obviously everyone has Chevron on their minds for next week, so just really trying to get ready for next week more than anything.
THE MODERATOR: I wanted to ask you both about Chevron, the last event at Mission Hills. Both of you as past champions have made that jump. What are your thoughts, I'll start with you, Morgan, as we head to the final week in the desert, your memories and just knowing it's not the last tournament, but the opportunity to celebrate Mission Hills.
MORGAN PRESSEL: Yeah, Mission Hills certainly has always been one of my favorites courses. Maybe I'm a little biased. Stacy probably feels the same way.
STACY LEWIS: I'm on the same page.
MORGAN PRESSEL: We've had an incredible run at Mission Hiss in the desert. You know, having the honor to have jumped in Poppy's Pond is definitely a moment I'll remember my entire career. It is a little bit bittersweet being the last year, but I'm really excited for Chevron being on board.
I think they have really big ideas and big dreams for the future, and I kind of think about it as kind of the transition, when we made the transition to the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and how that really evolved into I think a more spectacular event than any of us could have dreamed.
I really think Chevron has seen that and wants to put their own stamp on our major.
STACY LEWIS: Yeah, and actually I was -- when you were talking about winning, that was really where I met Morgan for the first time. I played with her that final round the year she won and I was out there as low am when you jumped in the pond.
So I just remember being out there, and I was like, Gosh, I want to jump in that pond myself. To get to do it a few years later was really, really cool. Like she said, it's such a great place and we have had a great history there.
But it probably was time. You know, we're going to celebrate our past next week, which is a going to be so much fun. I would love to take one more jump myself, so that's what I'm working for.
THE MODERATOR: I'll close out with one last question. I listened in on a meeting you two had yesterday. All sorts of new stuff I'm sure you never quite had to work on before for the Solheim Cup. What's been some of the more eye-opening things you learned about that now fall under your care, Stacy, as you look to next year?
STACY LEWIS: Nothing has really surprised me too much yet. I knew there was a lot that was going to go on kind of behind the scenes to get ready. I haven't been too surprised yet.
Morgan?
MORGAN PRESSEL: Yeah, there is just a lot to really -- a lot of tasks on the to-do list. I always knew that they were there and that the captains in the past have worked really hard behind the scenes to make all of this possible along with the LPGA staff.
And so, yeah, I just saw the checklist and it's like. Okay, we've got a lot to work on. We've got some time, so we're prepared.
THE MODERATOR: The team is in good hands. Thank you both so much. Enjoy the week, and we'll see you next week in the desert.
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