Q. We are joined by Alana after the third round. Alana, we talked a little bit yesterday. Playing as a Class A professional, but let us know that currently working a 9:00 to 5:00 job. Talk about what made you want to play this week and come out here and compete on the LPGA again.
ALANA URIELL: Yeah, from the outside LPGA players really seem like celebrities and it's a really cool job week to week. You travel the world. Play the best golf courses. But I reflect now on my time back and I know how difficult and physically demanding and how much time you spend away from your family and friends.
So I have now the opportunities to come back with my Class A and play, and it's been so exciting. It's nice to see some of my friends. Nice to be here in Mexico. Already feels like a vacation. I'm taking PTO from my job. I work at Visa and it's so exciting. They have a program for former professional athletes and it's been really nice getting the business experience for more of a long-term look at my career.
Q. Talk about what -- you submitted PTO. How did you go about that with your bosses? How do you apply that to your normal job?
ALANA URIELL: So it's so cool because Visa already sponsors other big sports. So you think the Olympics; we have Formula 1 and NFL; FIFA is coming up with the World Cup.
They're really great to their athletes, so it's nice to be part of a team that understands that I like to grind in the morning when I can and grind a little after work and put in the hours and just kind of stretch out my bones doing other things, but I still have the full commitment to everything that I do.
I think all around when you're at this level you have something in you that is different than other people, and that really gives you an edge no matter what you're doing.
Q. And then you mentioned yesterday as well been a few years since you made a cut; 2024 U.S. Open.
ALANA URIELL: Yes.
Q. Coming into this week, what were your expectations just overall? Did you think you were going to be playing the weekend or was it just test to see where the game is at?
ALANA URIELL: I truly thought I was going to be next to the pool today with a margarita. I did not expect to make the weekend. Obviously very happy to make the weekend. I gave it my all every shot, every day. Nice to see that I still have it, even after all this time.
I have a golf team with me that I play golf with regularly, and I think they're at home right now cheering me on and saying, man, I played golf with her last week. We were having a White Claw together on the golf course.
So it's funny to see how things come full circle and kind of share the love of what LPGA brings, like the magic, to everywhere else.
Q. Golf team is keeping you a little competitive?
ALANA URIELL: For sure. Yeah, we do scramble tournaments and just hang out and have a hotdog and a White Claw. We're just hanging out and it's fun and competitive. We have like a trophy and stuff that we throw around. Doesn't get thrown around much if I'm on the team because I win every time.
But it's great. They're really good sports about it and it's fun.
Q. Last one: Obviously you made the weekend; probably a big goal of yours. Now that you made the weekend, is there any other goals you may be trying to check off now?
ALANA URIELL: Any other goals? I think for me now I'm approaching professional golf in a different way. I want to be more of a leader in a positive way, kind of give back the magic to everybody, the fans, other players. I just want to give them a little perspective now being on the outside in corporate, and to share the really exclusive and like amazing opportunity it is to be out here on the LPGA Tour and to share that magic with others.
So more just being a positive influence. More just being a good leader and a good representation of the LPGA and now Visa.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports