Q. Maria, we just showed it to you. What a shot. Just walk me through that pitch in for eagle.
MARIA FASSI: Yeah, I mean, we decided to try to go for it and the second shot didn't quite come out as we were expecting.
We were kind of saying that it was honestly the worst spot I could have left myself for my third shot, and my only thought was just try to hit it as high as you can.
Of course the result was extra, but I hit a fantastic golf shot and just very happy that it just went in and I could get some momentum for the last few holes.
Q. Pretty fiery reaction there, too.
MARIA FASSI: Yeah, yeah. I started off very good and I kind of -- wasn't playing bad but just making a lot of pars in a row.
So kind of seeing that was definitely very cool, and definitely a good opportunity to release a lot of energy on that one. (Laughter.)
Q. I'm sure you're a little worn out after that. 5-under today. What besides that hole stood out? What was working so well?
MARIA FASSI: Again, I just started off very, very strong. You know, I hit it off the tee fantastic; gave myself a lot of opportunities on the first few holes.
I three-putted eight, but I honestly didn't think it was a bad putt, the first one, and it just got away from me a little bit. Just very steady. This last three days have been very similar in that regard.
Just steady golf, given myself a lot of looks at birdie, and taking advantage of as many as I can.
Q. What does it mean to see this good golf out of yourself? I know it's not been a year that you've been super pleased with, but now you're hitting your stride, especially with kind of a home event coming up in a couple weeks.
MARIA FASSI: Yeah, I've said it with my team and the people around me know that this has been a tough year.
But the golf was there. The golf has always been there, and it was just -- for me to believe that it was there, for me to see that I was actually able to hit the shots that I'm able to hit this week, it's been a huge reward because I've worked harder than ever this last year and a half.
You know, I haven't seen the results yet, so I'm super excited to see what tomorrow holds, and keep doing what we're doing of having a lot of fun on the golf course with Gary. I'm just excited that we get 18 more holes to do it again.
Q. What have you learned about yourself in these four years? Kind of been a roller coaster since you came out.
MARIA FASSI: Yeah, I mean, it's been tough. It's been good. You know, it's been easy, it's been hard. Like you said, it's a big rollercoaster.
I think at the end of the day I always look back and realize that no matter how hard sometimes golf can be and how lonely or miserable we can be sometimes on the road, I love this game more than anything, and I want to try to play it for as long as I can and do it on the LPGA Tour.
I think it's just such a cool place to have my dreams come true.
So again, with all the good and bad, I think I've just learned that my love for the game has really no boundaries. It's just I'm blessed to be able to do this. I'm happy that we get to do it in front of the best crowds and the best players.
Q. In terms of your game and your strategy and how you approach things, do you feel like you're close enough to take it to the next level?
MARIA FASSI: Yeah, I mean, I think there has been a lot of learning strategically. Definitely playing Dow with Stacy last couple of years has been huge for me, just to see the way she approaches the game and see what's the difference and what got her to be No. 1 in the world and what got her to win so many tournaments.
I think we're trending in the right direction. I just got to keep doing that, keep doing me, and worry about the rest when it's time for that.
Q. Chasing tomorrow. What's the mindset heading into the final day just a few back of Ally?
MARIA FASSI: It's the same that I have had all week. I mean, I'm playing smart golf, as Gary and I like to call it. Just trying to stay consistent off the tee and give myself good looks from the fairway.
I've seen a lot of my birdies happen from -- with wedges that I'm able to have because of the length, so I think I just have to keep doing that.
Tomorrow is no different to today or yesterday. It's still 18 holes of golf, and I just have to go out there, have fun, and, again, play the best I can and see if that's enough to come on top tomorrow.
Q. One more question: Obviously in Razorbacks red today. Hogs won. Had to add to the good juju you had out there.
MARIA FASSI: Yeah, it was always kind of -- we were talking about it as the day went by. It was always something that both Lisa, Sarah's caddie and I were asking spectators to tell us what the score was and stuff.
So it was pretty cool to get a win from the Hogs as well. I love to wear this outfit. I say it's my Saturday outfit in the fall, so hopefully I get many more of these.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports