U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

June 4, 2021

Shanshan Feng

The Olympic Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Shanshan, four birdies against three bogeys; how would you describe today's round?

SHANSHAN FENG: I would say I started the round very well with two birdies on the front nine, but then after I made the turn I would say that I just missed a few fairways, like I expect the others will do that, too. I just made a few bogeys in the middle.

But I think what I did really well was when I had two holes left, I was like 1-over for the day, and before the round started I told myself my goal was to shoot red numbers every day. I was like, Oh, if I can birdie them both, both of the last two holes, I can still shoot a red number, and that's what I did, so I'm very happy about that.

Q. How did the course play today versus yesterday?

SHANSHAN FENG: We did have more tees back today compared to yesterday. Yesterday I think we had like five or six tees were actually moved up, and yeah, so overall I think today we had some longer holes I would say and tougher pins, too.

But I mean, this is the U.S. Open, so we know what's going to happen.

Q. How much have you enjoyed this week? I know you tend to thrive in this major championship kind of atmosphere. What have you thought about this overall experience?

SHANSHAN FENG: Well, I'm very happy to be here for sure, and also I'm very happy to be paired with Inbee and Lydia for the first two days.

I mean, we were the three medalists at the Olympics, so it kind of reminded me a little bit about 2016 in Rio.

I mean, they're such nice person and good players, so I really enjoyed the whole time on the course. I think that's what I've done pretty well after the long, long break that I took. This time coming back I think my mental -- like mentally I'm like way better. I'm really enjoying it again, just like my first few years on the Tour.

Yeah, so overall I think I'm doing fine, and just keep doing the same thing.

Q. How much do you think your T3 finish at the ANA, the first major of the year, really helped solidify you getting back to the Tour?

SHANSHAN FENG: Yes, actually before ANA, I didn't even know how I would do. I was like, maybe I'll shoot like an 80, because I didn't know after like 14 months away from the Tour.

So like a top-3 finish at the ANA of course really helped me to get the confidence back. It told me, Oh, I think Shanshan can play again, so maybe I can expect myself to do well in the tournaments, too.

I'm just the same as before, trying to win tournaments every year. Yeah, that's it.

Q. You came here to the Olympic Club from Vegas. Vegas totally different conditions, but you played pretty well last week, as well. What was it like adjusting to everything that the Olympic Club offers?

SHANSHAN FENG: Well, last week at Shadow Creek, it was a fantastic golf course. So is the Olympic Club. I think last week, it was a championship course. It was good for us to -- it was actually quite a good warmup for this week because with playing on the courses you would have to shoot like more than 20-under to win.

Yeah, and then coming into this week I think my ball-striking, everything is ready. Just needed to get the patience back and just enjoy it.

Q. Especially learning from those three bogeys that you kind of rebounded from, what was going through your mind during your back nine but the front nine there?

SHANSHAN FENG: Well, I just missed a few fairways. I didn't do it on purpose. But everybody is going to miss some fairways here.

You know, I'm human being, so I allow myself to make mistakes for sure. But I'm very happy that at the end the last two holes, I birdied them both. I still shot in red numbers, so it was good.

Q. What will you be looking to improve upon as we finish out the weekend here?

SHANSHAN FENG: Well, I would say U.S. Open -- I've had one time that I was leading after three rounds, so I've had some success here but not like winning yet. You know, I just want to relax and enjoy the next 36 holes on the course, especially on the Olympic Club, because other than the U.S. Open, when will we have a chance to play the Olympic Club? I'm trying to enjoy it.

Q. How different do you think your energy levels would have been coming into the week if you had played those final 18 in Las Vegas and how has that helped you so far?

SHANSHAN FENG: Well, to be honest, I think I've been asked that question for so many times. I wouldn't say that not playing the afternoon on Sunday is really helping this week. It wasn't my purpose. My purpose was I lost the match in the morning and I couldn't move. I didn't think I could finish the other 18, so that's why. It was nothing really about this week.

But I'm still happy that I got well rested on Monday so I am now recovered, and I'm expecting myself to enjoy the rest of the week.