Q. Your wins are all majors —
ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, it’s been a long time. I had a good opportunity last year to win and didn’t pull through. You question whether it’s going to happen or to the again but knowing it’s the British Open, it’s been worth the wait.
Q. How special was the putt on 18?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Me and my caddie, Paul, were chatting with Nanna was putting. It just seemed so unreal and just to have a little tap-in for the win, like I couldn’t ask for anything better. Just to share the experience with him and knowing how hard he’s worked, and keeping patient all these years, yeah, it’s such a great experience sharing that with close friends and family.
Q. Four years ago at Kingsbarns you were quite ill and you were determined to make the Solheim Cup team. From the memories to now — how proud are you of that?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah I got mono in July 2017. I found that out during the U.S. Open. I was sitting up sleeping at that time because I was coughing so bad but I played it through and I really wanted to make the Solheim Cup team. So I battled through Kingsbarns. Kingsbarns and Carnoustie is probably my two favourite courses in the world. I really wanted to be there because I really wanted to play in the Solheim Cup, and then ended up winning Evian in the same stretch.
I don’t think a lot of people realised how tough that was, and it took me a good three years just having no energy and don’t feel like you have the mental strength or you don’t have that extra gear that I’ve always been used to having.
COVID was a blessing and a curse, because it made me slow down my tempo a little bit, and I could be home a little bit more than I have been, and I’ve been pro since 2009, so just having — feel like I’ve been home; I haven’t been home for nine weeks, so I’m dying to go home tomorrow.
Q. At the start of the week, were you excited about coming here? You must have fancied your chances?
ANNA NORDQVIST: I played well so well during Scottish Open last week, it was blowing hard especially the first three days. Just didn’t feel like I capitalised on some of the opportunities that I had and ended up finishing 12, and I was disappointed because I played well. Knowing I hit the ball really well in that tough wind last week, and then the first two practice rounds here were pretty brutal. So Carnoustie gave us a little bit of a break, but I love links golf and I think Carnoustie is such a good golf course and to be able to pull it through here, it just feels even more special.
Q. Three majors; is this more special?
ANNA NORDQVIST: I think this is the most special one. Just because it’s taken me a couple years and I’ve fought so hard and questioned whether I was doing the right things. Also, knowing like how my caddie, Paul, he’s been working so hard and I really wanted to do it for him, too.
My husband has been supporting me so much, too, and all friends and family, and having spectators back and feeling that adrenaline kicking again I think this is definitely my most special win.
Q. Golf can be a cruel game, Nanna on last, did you have any words for Nanna on that finish?
ANNA NORDQVIST: No, Nanna played really well. She made a lot of great up-and-downs, a great up-and-down on 17 and a couple good ones in the beginning. She’s a great player. She’s going to play well in the future. It’s tough to see that, finishing with a double. But she did really play well today.
Q. Felt inevitable there would be a playoff, how did you keep the focus?
ANNA NORDQVIST: The only thing I could really control was myself and it was going to be my time. It was going to be my time. Just try to do the best could I and see where it ended up, but I’m glad it didn’t go to a playoff because I saw there was quite a few players at 11.
Q. Do you look at the leaderboard much?
ANNA NORDQVIST: I tried not to but I was definitely aware where things were going, and I knew the last couple holes where I was standing.