Q. Here with Patty Tavatanakit after a 5-under 67. It's always tough to defend the title, let alone as a major. Opened up with a bogey, but then really cleaned up your round. How proud are you of how you fought back after those opening holes?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Really proud. I feel like I really got my momentum going, was really present today, and just didn't really not care. I didn't really -- didn't bother me if I was going to play good or bad.
Q. You made the turn at 1-under after I said bogey on the 1st hole and then on 14, but then reeled off four birdies on that front nine, which is your back nine. Do you have any sort of mentally change there? I know you said you were trying not to think about it.
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Scores are scores. It doesn't really tell you what's really going on. I mean, a part of it will, but deep down I was really comfortable out there. Regardless of how I start or finish, it's still a round of golf and I give my best, and can't really control the outcome.
Q. What was working for you today? What was the strength of your game today?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I think I was just calm. Something about this place just keeps me really calm, just really present. I think that's how I was able to turn my momentum mid-round.
Q. There are usually a lot of distractions when you're a defending champion. Even more so at a major, champion's dinner, all these interview requests. How have you been able to block that out and put it aside?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: It wasn't a distraction for me. If anything, it's just a part of being great. (Smiling.)
Everything is a choice in life. If you choose to look at it as a distraction it will be. If you choose to look at it as a part of what you do, it's just perspective on things.
Q. That's great. And I saw a couple fist bumps out there. Looks like you got fired up a time or two.
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: A little bit, yeah. Just wanted to keep myself going.
Q. That's great. I really like what you're saying. It's part of it. We can see the physical side of the training. Do you work with a mental coach, someone that helps you focus on that?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, Pia and Lynn has been out here this week, Vision 54. I started playing with that philosophy since I turned pro basically. Used that on Symetra, now called the Epson Tour, and I had really good success.
That was really big part of how I play so well.
Q. I thought so. I saw you you walking off with them. What were you chatting about?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Just my round and how I was feeling.
Q. Overall, what was the takeaway from a successful first round today that you might try to move to tomorrow?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Honestly, after I walked off that 9th hole I was like, it's done. I feel like first round is a little bit nerve-wracking. You want to start off great, if you don't, what can you do afterwards.
Fortunately, I was able to walk away with a great round. But, you know, another round tomorrow. It's still golf. You still have to execute and play.
So it's a long week ahead.
Q. Notably last year you mentioned Pia and Lynn gave you some specific advice. Anything in particular ahead of this week that they told that you you leaned on?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Just revisiting the same points but maybe taking different strategy, because I'm not in the same mental state as I was last year.
As a person I'm still the same person, but you go through times you think differently, and coming into this week a little bit different from last year.
So still the same stuff, but taking a little different approach.
Q. What was the key for you to keep the front nine, your back nine today, clean as the wind picked up?
PATTY TAVATANAKIT: I think staying present and just feeling confident going into each shot.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports