LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP

April 16, 2021

Yuka Saso

Kapolei Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right Yuka, still up in there in contention, especially after the day like you had today. When you don't get off to the strongest start that you want, what does it take inside you, what do you say to yourself to keep grinding and pushing through the round?

YUKA SASO: Well, first, thank you. Well, like when I don't really play well or when I -- when the thing doesn't go my way I don't really talk too much. You know, I've been trying to fix that. I'm trying to communicate with my caddie as much as can rather than just being quiet.

Yeah, I think I did that well today.

Q. That's something that I feel you've been learning still as a 19 year old. Do you think about when you have these moments where you're in contention of the wins back in Japan? I know you said yesterday not really, but when you're struggling, do you remember what it was like to be in contention back then?

YUKA SASO: Yes, but when I win in Japan it happened so fast and was like -- I was young. I didn't really know what to do when you're in contention.

So I think I'm still in a learning stage and I'm -- I think I'm doing good with, you know, learning from other pros.

Q. I was going to say, what do you think you learned today not only from your game and learning to bounce back, but also from playing with Lydia Ko?

YUKA SASO: Like I said yesterday, I look up to her, and one thing that I learned from her is like her tempo is very consistent. I think that's very important.

Yeah, that's I think just the biggest thing I learned from her today.

Q. When you have a challenging front nine today, was it easier for you on the back nine? Did you reset after those first couple of holes?

YUKA SASO: I'm trying to reset every hole. Yeah, I wasn't really hitting a bad shot. Just didn't really go to where I wanted to be.

But it's just -- that's how golf is. So I was just, you know, being patient and trust the process. (Laughter.)

Q. I don't know much about what it was like when you were winning on the JLPGA, but did you come from behind? Have you ever chased?

YUKA SASO: Yes.

Q. Do you like the chase?

YUKA SASO: Not -- I don't know. (Laughter.) I don't know. So I'm more of focusing on my golf than looking to my opponent.

So, you know, I just want to focus on myself and, you know, focus on my routine and, yeah, process.

Q. Lydia said she talked about playing a practice round with you at the U.S. Women's Open, and you said, Oh, my gosh, you remember that. What was that like for you? Did she help calm you down when things got a little too stressed?

YUKA SASO: I think so, yes. You know, talking with world No. 1 makes you so relaxed. You know, when she said like she remembers like when we played in U.S. Women's Open practice round I really felt happy. Who would think she would remember, right?

So, yeah, playing with her -- I mean, I didn't play well the first couple holes, but, you know, she is very kind. Yeah, it's nice playing with her today.

Q. What will be the mindset heading into the final day tomorrow?

YUKA SASO: It's the same: Just rest and eat well and keep doing what I was doing couple days.