Q. Ally, a round of 68 today. Five birdies, just one bogey. You're currently tied for fourth at 6-under. You've played well here in the past. What is it about this place that seems to suit you?
ALLY EWING: Yeah, I think just like any major, you stay patient. There are certain holes, hole locations where you accept 30- or 40-footers. You just take what the golf course gives you.
Getting out this morning I think the greens were kind of receptive so I was able to take advantage of the scorable holes. Overall it's just the last year here.
Like you said, I feel like I've played well here. I enjoy my walk. It's such a pretty view, and I'm really excited because I feel like my game is in a really good place. Just trying to keep everything one hole, one shot at a time and same mindset.
Q. You had five birdies out there. Any one those particularly stand out to you? What was the story of your round today.
ALLY EWING: Just really consistent. I hit a couple poor drives that I either made bogey or had to work for par. Other than that, I got off to a great start. On 2 I got a ball up and down which was a really solid start.
I feel like the par-5s out here, if you take advantage of them, that's what you should do.
Then I got to hole 13 and hit a really good approach and made a 15-footer.
Then get to 14, the Par-3 and hit it to three or four feet and made birdie there.
So I feel like I got the momentum to start the round, and even though I made bogey on 15, I just kind of steadied the ship and got it going on my back nine.
Q. You've mentioned that you're more patient in majors, but this one in particular you have played exceptionally well at times. What is it about the golf course that sets up well for you?
ALLY EWING: It's in great shape. Greens roll really true. But I think for me, it's just I feel like the more disciplined I am around this golf course -- obviously it takes shots, I have to execute, I have to roll putts in, but I'm really disciplined out there, looking away from holes that just kind of say, hey, hit it at me.
But I don't do that. I try to stay really disciplined. My caddie and I just really stick to targets, and it certainly helps to roll in putts.
I feel like I've rolled it really well. I made a little bit of a mess of my last hole. Didn't get a birdie look on No. 9, but got a really good up and down to kind of finish my round off, which was I think good for me to see a good par save on the last hole.
Q. You just start working I guess recently with Pia and Lynn on putting. What are you doing and how is that helping?
ALLY EWING: Yeah, just I've kind of shortened my putting routine, trying to think less, be more athlete. Just really free everything up.
I'm kind of analytical person as it is, so the less I can get out on the golf course and think and more I can just react and trust the training that I do. I've done it that really well in may career with full swing.
But putting it's kind of like at times I've put in all my training, but I get on the golf course and I try to make it harder. It's not supposed to be that way.
So I shortening the routine and trying to be really athlete out there and see putts go in.
Q. At the Solheim Cup you just really seemed like you loved that stage and getting the crowd going. Does that equate out here? Obviously not doing the antics out here, but does that equate in terms of you feeling like this brings out the best in you?
ALLY EWING: Yeah, major venue. The crowds out here are so supportive. They enjoy seeing golf and enjoy seeing good golf.
You know, this golf course is great. The support that we've had through the years has just been awesome.
So elevating your game in a major is always great, but it's always great to just have good support for the LPGA in our last major here at the Dinah Shore. Hopefully I can just keep it going the next two days.
Q. Did playing other team sports growing up kind of help you want to embrace a crowd?
ALLY EWING: Probably so. You know, I just love the competitive atmosphere, whether it's golf. I played high school basketball, so I love that. Just being around a team. I still am lucky to be around my husband's golf team, so I still feel mingled in a little bit of a team atmosphere.
But overall I just love the competition. Each time I tee it up I know it's a new opportunity and I have to separate day to day, so just embracing my last year here and the crowds and fans just being here to support us, and hopefully I can keep it rolling.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports