THE MODERATOR: Welcome, everyone, to the media center here at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. Pleased to be joined by Carlota Ciganda who has won in Mexico before and always plays really well here. How excited are you to be back in this country where you had your last win on Tour?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, very happy to be here. It's always a pleasure to come to Mexico. I love the language, Spanish speaking, the people, everything is always really, really nice. And yeah, I won in Mexico City, my second LPGA victory a few years ago. Obviously great memories. It's always a great atmosphere coming here. Just very happy to be here this week and play here at Mayakoba.
Q. Speaking of Mayakoba, what do you like about this golf course and what have you been practicing? What has stuck out to you?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, I've only played nine holes, and I think it's quite tricky out there, especially with the wind. It's important to have the ball in play this week. I think the wind is going to be the trickiest. The greens are pretty small, too, so you're going to miss a few greens, and I think the chipping and putting is important. But yeah, I think under par here, like 3-under a day, is a very good score.
Q. Looking back at photos of the last time we were in Mexico, that was so long ago and lots of legends of the game were back there in the field, Lorena, Annika. Talk specifically about Lorena. She'll be here this week but you've played alongside her. She's going to be here supporting this event. What does her presence here mean to the game and to Mexican golf?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, I think Lorena, what she did when she played, and even after golf, what she's doing for Mexico and for all the girls, it's unbelievable. A great role model. Always enjoyed talking to her and asking her questions about playing and pressure and how to get better.
I think she got to World No. 1 so fast, and then to retire at that age and start a family, lots of respect to what she did. Always great, coming here, seeing her, chatting to her and her family. They've always been kind to me, and I always enjoy coming here.
Q. There's lots of fun stuff going on at the course. How are you enjoying yourself this week at a venue like Mayakoba?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, staying here at the Fairmont, it's a beautiful resort. It feels like being on holiday, especially after you play, going to the pool and all this nice weather and good food. It's just really nice to spend this week in this very nice hotel. My parents are coming tonight, so I'm excited to have them, as well, here in Mexico and have a nice week all together.
Q. The cave or the hole on 7, I know that's a fun, interesting hole. Tell me a little bit about the strategy around the big hole.
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, so it's a par-5, and I think it's going to be tough to reach in two. For me it's going to be maybe like a 3-wood or maybe a driver just short of that cave, then yeah, probably a lay-up or hit something closer to the green. But I think it's pretty cool what they have here, with all the cenotes and all the beautiful ocean and everything that they have. Yeah, it's pretty cool to see it on the golf course.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports