THE MODERATOR: Joining me today are Sarah and Albane at the Dow Championship. Can you just talk through your round today, any highlights, anything notable?
SARAH SCHMELZEL: We were really solid, got off to a good start with birdieing the 1st hole, which always kind of calms the nerves of foursomes.
You're kind of on pins and needles most of the day, just hoping you don't get your partner in trouble.
Just super solid. I feel like we had really good attitudes throughout the entire day. I think both of us took every single shot as it came. Even when we did something poorly, we tried to bounce back as best we could and be really positive.
So I think that helped us stay really steady.
ALBANE VALENZUELA: I'll just echo Sarah. I feel like we had a really good day. Our goal in foursomes was just to get a couple under or maybe a little bit better. We had a few mistakes, and that's going to happen in this format. We also did a lot of really good stuff.
I feel like Sarah got robbed on a few putts on the back nine. Overall just a really good day.
Q. How are you able to bounce off each other and stay in it with this formula being alternate shot today versus best ball yesterday?
SARAH SCHMELZEL: Yeah, it's not too hard to stay in it when you're trying to win a golf tournament. Albane does a really great job of -- I mean, both of us probably run a little bit on the hotter side -- she's laughing at me -- but any time I just got a little down on myself, she had that positive attitude there of, hey, this is what this format is about. I'm going to do something, you're going to do something. Let's try to get it back as best we can.
I really feel like the way she handled the day really helped me stay present throughout my day.
ALBANE VALENZUELA: I feel like I bounce off Sarah's confidence, and just her whole game is just so solid it really helps me free it up out there. We made that bogey on 5. We try to take that as a fuel and a bounceback opportunity.
We had a few birdies on the front nine. I feel like we do a really good job of keeping each other in it.
Also because we're really good friends, and we just know each other so well. So I know when not to talk to her, I know when to talk to her. Overall, just really good vibes.
Q. You had one of the lowest four ball scores yesterday. What are you looking forward to tomorrow? What did you learn from yesterday just heading into the final round?
SARAH SCHMELZEL: It's just fun whenever you tee it up and you know you have to go out and make a bunch of birdies and you can play aggressively. I think the way our games complement each other, the four ball is really perfect for us. I just try to give her a good picture going off her, hitting it down the fairway, and kind of loosen her up to be as aggressive as she wants to be.
That game plan obviously worked yesterday, so we're going to put it into practice tomorrow.
ALBANE VALENZUELA: Copy that.
Q. The environment out here seems really amazing. There's the walk-up music on the 18th hole. There's a lot of fans out here supporting you guys. How has that kind of continued to fuel you and motivate you throughout the weekend?
ALBANE VALENZUELA: I feel like this is such a fun week. It's a team format. We're always saying on the course how we wish there was more of that in golf. This is definitely the most fun I've had all year.
I was texting with Sarah last night, and I said if it was not for you this week, I wouldn't be as happy on the golf course. It's been a while since I smiled this much and had this much confidence and fist pumped. It's really this format and just playing with one of my best friends. I mean, doesn't get much better than that.
SARAH SCHMELZEL: Dow does so much for us. Obviously since this tournament started, ever year it just elevates more and more and more.
They treat us like royalty once we come out here. They back it up by all these fans coming out during the actual tournament week too. It's such a treat to play here. I don't think you'd find a player that teed it up on Thursday that doesn't absolutely love this event. We're just really grateful for what Dow does for us.
Q. I see your outfits are alternate colors. Were you inspired by the format today?
SARAH SCHMELZEL: Absolutely.
ALBANE VALENZUELA: 100 percent.
Q. Will you be back to matching tomorrow?
ALBANE VALENZUELA: We still have to discuss the details.
SARAH SCHMELZEL: Probably more matchy.
ALBANE VALENZUELA: This was alternate shot, so we had to do alternate colors.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports