HONDA LPGA THAILAND

May 5, 2021

Moriya Jutanugarn

Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome inside the Honda LPGA virtual interview room here at the Honda LPGA. Happy to be joined by Moriya Jutanugarn here.

Moriya, welcome back to the Honda LPGA Thailand. How are you feeling to be back home?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: It's always very nice to come back home, and I know it's very different this year, but everything seems like -- I know everyone working hard and want to have this event happen.

It's always very nice to come back even it's very different. I kind of miss my family, friends, and of course a lot of fans here.

Q. She said that, Ariya said the family was a little far away from you. They're not able to come because of the COVID-19 restrictions. How much are you going to miss that kind of home feel that you usually get from this tournament?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: I mean, this tournament is one of the favorite tournament for me and probably for other girls on tour. I mean, you know, like this event always had a lot of really good feedback from Thai fans, and they always waiting for the Honda LPGA to come and to have a tournament.

We always have very good fans here, like lots of people come out and they get very exciting. It's kind of very miss that moment, and of course it's just like because it's like my home country so it's a lot more, you know, like -- a lot of good energy, so it's like really miss that.

Q. I was going to say, you've been competing in this tournament for quite a while now. How much do you think this tournament has had an impact on Thai players?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: For me, because I played since I am like playing junior golf like a major and now I'm turning pro, I felt like since then we got a lot more players out on LPGA, and of course in Thailand a lot more girls interesting in golf. A lot more people think golf is not so far like to wish or not to -- feels like they more enjoyable to play and they -- I don't know, feels like when I was younger lots of people think golf is more older people sport; it's kind of boring.

Now everything I think it's very exciting, it's more enjoyable and you can spend time with family and friends and also there is a -- if you play good to get on a tour, and I think that's why how we have a lot more players and a lot more younger players.

Q. Of course they've grown up seeing incredible players like yourself come through the ranks. We just got off a week in Singapore. How well are you feeling in your game and how much did last week prepare you with the heat and conditions to come this week?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: Of course it's a little of the tired weeks because it's really hot and humid, and it's pretty much the same here; not a lot of difference.

But to go into Asia and to play two event, Singapore and Thailand, is great. For me, in Singapore like my game a kind of -- I was feeling like I kind of hit them pretty good. It's nothing much to worry about, but hopefully I make a little more putts this week.

Q. What are you thinking about as you take on the Old Course this week?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: I would say that Old Course is always in really good shape, in the good condition. This year seems a little lit softer, so feel like a lot of the longer hitter is probably going to like work out pretty good for them.

But the green is a little bit softer as well. I would say it's still always very nice to come back here and to play in good conditions. I feel like around this golf course it's pretty much just like it's more like up and down and the putting pretty much.

Q. Definitely. And plus getting use to the heat. Do feel as if and you sister and a lot of the other Thai players had the advantage of growing up in conditions like this?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: To be honest, I don't really spend as much time in Thailand, and of course everyone is hot. I feel hot as well. I don't think everyone -- I don't think anyone has had more credential or anything. We just start with zero this week. It's just -- I will say I'm not really get used to it either because I don't spend much time in Thailand, and also when I'm in Thailand I don't play much golf.

Q. Ariya said the last time she was here was two months ago. I you were here two months ago I assume as well.

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: Yeah.

Q. What's that like to -- now you're coming back to a tournament. You won't have this massive heave of fans and you're not able to see friends and family. Is that that much different, and how much do you think you'll miss that fan support that usually is brought out by this tournament?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: Just what I said, we do miss them a lot because it's always had really good support from the Thai fans. Everyone is really exciting to come. Even my friends keep texting me, Can I go? Can I go? No. Sorry. But that's how much people like this tournament.

And of course like just what I say earlier, we miss them a lot and hopefully we can get back and be the same maybe next year.

You know of course and also I usually see my close friends over here this week when I play in Thailand, and my family, so I don't have a chance to see them. But we can just give them a call.

Q. You mentioned the number of younger girls picking up the game, other Thai players picking up the game. What does it mean to you to be a role model for this generation of golfers?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: For me, I mean, I don't know if I'm a role model, but if they say that, it's my honor to be one the role model. It's not just me. Before I play on tour Pornanong play on tour. There is a lot. Like (indiscernible) play on tour, and some of the other players.

I think there is one of the good role model as well. And you know it's mean a lot when you go out and play that and show other new generation that's like if you have a dream you can do it and you just have to kind of give it all to golf and it's never been too late.

Q. Is there a level of stress or level of responsibility you feel because you're in that position as a professional touring as a role model for them?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: I will say, yeah, of course. Like it's going to be some stress or some kind of that thing, but I feel like it's one of the challenging is how we deal with it.

You just have to deal with it and then you just have to appreciate what you have done and just appreciate like when people say, oh, I really like you as a role model.

You just have to lead to a good way. You know, like just make sure you don't do some stuff that's -- you know, and also like just what I say, it's very honor and I just trying to do my best and focus on what I have to do, and I think the result will -- hopefully people like my result and I succeed with that.

Q. I very much like that. Very insightful.