THE MODERATOR: All right, very pleased to be joined by our defending champion of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, Carlota Ciganda. Carlota, welcome back to Blythfield Country Club. When you pulled up, what were some of the thoughts and emotions you felt coming back?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, it's a special place for sure, especially after winning last year. It's a place that I've always said that reminds me of back home, Spain. Everything, the course, the trees, the grass. It's been always very comfortable for me playing here.
I have a very nice host family as well, so it's always a fun week. And, yeah, I'm excited for the week.
Q. Yeah. Talk about the course itself. How does it suit your game?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, I think it's a course that it's good for long hitters. You have five par-5s that you can take advantage, and, yeah, have some doglegs that have to be pretty accurate as well.
Yeah, it's a course that I enjoy. Suits my eye off the tee. I think it's going to be a little windy and it is a little bit softer than last year, but, yeah, it's in great shape and, yeah, it's going to be a fun week.
Q. So on more of a personal level, what inspired you when you were a young girl to get into golf and what words of wisdom or inspiration would you have for the next generation of aspiring female athletes?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, for me I come from a very sporty family so I started playing when I was five with my dad who was a big influence.
I've always enjoyed playing sports. I played soccer, tennis, golf, swimming, everything. But I think, yeah, it's important to have fun, to enjoy, to have a good time. I think sports, it can teach you so many good values, discipline, and I think it teaches you how to also be a better person.
So I think I'll take all of those things. I think the most important is to enjoy and to have fun.
Q. Was there anything you learned about the course last year in your win that you want to see again this year, or is it playing pretty different?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: I think it's playing a little bit softer than last year. The fairways, they're not running as much, and I think the greens are a bit softer. There is some rain coming in. Might be even softer on Thursday or Friday.
Overall, I think it's -- yeah, the course is very similar. I think it's important to take advantage of the par-5s this week. Yeah, just try to make not too many bogeys.
But the rough may be a little bit thicker, so it's important to hit fairways. But I think it's playing similar. And I play here a few years so I know this course.
Q. Do you think this win last year helped you throughout the rest of the season?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah. I mean, I think winning is always special. It's a good reminder that you belong here and you can still compete. For sure it's giving you confidence to keep playing.
I mean, at the same time it's a new year so you have to start from zero. It's a new tournament. Yeah, it's always nice to, yeah, to win out here.
Q. Couple top 10 finishes for you this year. We're about midway through the season; coming up on a couple more majors. How would you assess your game so far this season?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, so I missed the last couple -- missed the cut in the last couple tournaments. Again, I like this course. I like this place. Always feels very comfortable to me. I think I'm hitting the ball good, good enough to be up there. I'm going to try to keep doing that.
And, yeah, I mean, next week KPMG, we have all the majors coming, so I think it's important to be, yeah, in good spirits, happy, positive, and, yeah, just keep working.
Q. So what role do you feel female athletes and the LPGA's advocacy for equal representation for female athletes, equal pay and compensation, what role does that play in our society at large?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: I don't know how to reply. Say that again.
Q. Looking at the advocacy that the LPGA has had for having that equal representation for female athletes and really advocating for the importance of women in sports, what role do you think that has in our world society of emphasizing women's importance in society?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, I mean, to be honest I feel pretty lucky to be playing golf. After playing the Olympics, I think golf and tennis are two sports that women can earn a very good living. I think our Tour is in great hands. Obviously it can be always better, but I think money-wise it's unbelievable how much it's grown. We have all these great partners that are supportive, all the majors.
Can always get better, but you think we're in a very good spot, and, yeah, just very lucky to be part of the LPGA. Yeah, try to keep growing the game and hopefully more girls, they want to keep playing and turning pro.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much, Carlota.
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Thank you.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports