COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

May 12, 2022

Chella Choi

Upper Montclair Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. A 4-under day today to start off the Cognizant Founders Cup week. Just how are you feeling as you come off the course after day one?

CHELLA CHOI: Pretty good. I could focus on the game well today. And when I practice round and even yesterday too, the wind was a lot. I thought golf course is very tough. The fairways and green are very narrow so I feel like very hard. This morning and even afternoon too, like pretty calm. I feel very calm. I feel like I can play better than practice round. That's why I played good today.

Q. We've heard from some players as well that sometimes the wind direction this week is going to be a factor in the way you approach some of these holes. How much did it factor into your game today? I know you just said it was a little easier than the winds that we had during the practice round.

CHELLA CHOI: When I checked the weather this morning, normally it's east and north. When I play, sometimes offset, like a change a lot at the course -- each course and hole-to-hole.

I asked a lot my father and caddie, so he gave me a lot of good yards and picked good clubs.

Q. You were bogey-free on your first nine holes. On your back nine holes. Two birdies on 2 and 3 really helped get you through the last couple of holes. Just what was going so well there, and how did it feel to be able to par the rest of the way out?

CHELLA CHOI: I feel like easier than before because when I practice round, I felt like very scary golf course, but today very calm. So I feel like, oh, can I do it. I can make a shot and putt. That's why I feel, like, easier.

Q. For me, too, what is it like to be here at Upper Montclair? I'm guessing you've never played here before, so what was the practice and the preparation like to get ready for this week?

CHELLA CHOI: I played 2009 here when I was a rookie. I saw my score, but it's pretty good when I was looking. 30-something. I have a good memory here, but I can't remember golf course anywhere. Even putting green and clubhouse too. I feel like clubhouse is pretty new.

I can't believe why I don't remember this golf course because it's a super beautiful golf course here and condition and greens, shape, and fairway condition is very good, but it's just my bad memory.

Q. What will you take away from a day like this as you head into tomorrow?

CHELLA CHOI: Right now condition is really good, and I feel like easier than before, and hopefully no rain tomorrow, and I try to do my best.