KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 24, 2022

Jennifer Chang

Congressional Country Club (Blue Course)

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: I'm here with Jennifer Chang, who is at 4-under and is in the mix heading into the weekend. This is just your first major of the season. How are the nerves for you, Jennifer?

JENNIFER CHANG: So far I've been pretty comfortable out here. My caddie, Will, has done a good job with me and being on my bag and making me feel comfortable. Having a good time so far.

THE MODERATOR: You have said that this course suits your game well. Why is that?

JENNIFER CHANG: I don't make too many mistakes out here, and usually if there's a birdie (inaudible), I struggle with that a little bit. So just to know that a par is a good score, and kind of the birdies here and there I think puts you in a good position.

THE MODERATOR: That 18th hole, we've been seeing a lot of players struggle with it. What is it about 18 that seems to present so many problems?

JENNIFER CHANG: I think just the tee right off the bat is so severe right to left and just being surrounded by water. That's a lot of where players avoid. I mean, I have avoided two days, but I've bogeyed it also. It does play tough out there.

Q. It being your first major, what were your expectations coming into this week on a golf course that's as tough as Congressional?

JENNIFER CHANG: I've struggled a bit over the season. Didn't get off to a great start. I think I've only made three cuts so far, so just to be in the mix of it all, it's a huge confidence booster for me. Just going to try to do the same the next two days.

Q. How do you keep the expectations and the nerves in check as you head into the weekend here?

JENNIFER CHANG: That's something I've learned over the past two years. Three years now since I've been on TOUR, but I think every week is such a different week.

One week it might be your week, and the other week it just might not work out. That's why I'm pretty optimistic going into each and every week. Just playing my game and not letting anything affect me.

Q. What's come together for you here this week?

JENNIFER CHANG: I've been super comfortable over the ball. I've struggled a bit with my ball-striking just off the tee, and so this week I kind of went into it just feeling super comfortable and not trying to stress too much over the ball.

So it's work out really well. I've hit a lot of good shots under pressure, which is nice to have.

Q. You have played in just a handful of majors. What sort of experience are you leaning on in this position? You just seem so calm and collected to be where you are in a major right now.

JENNIFER CHANG: It just comes with experience. My rookie year was probably the toughest year ever, and then my second year it was not easy as well.

So just leading up to it I think I've changed my mindset a little bit about things. Whether it's a major or regular tournament, I'm going into it with the same mindset each week.

Q. What is that mindset?

JENNIFER CHANG: Not trying to put too much pressure on myself. At the end of the day it is a game. We're going doing this for a living, but I think the more you can enjoy it and be comfortable, the better your outcome will be.

Q. What do you do when you are away from the course? What do you like to do?

JENNIFER CHANG: Usually I just go on my phone, social media, Netflix. I think ever since COVID, it's kind of changed. I don't know what I did before, but when I get a chance to hang out with my friends when I'm back home, it's always nice to catch up with them.

Q. You mentioned your rookie year being so hard. What do you feel like you learned from that experience?

JENNIFER CHANG: I think the biggest thing as a rookie is you're just trying to make cuts, trying to make money, make a living. And before that you've never really experienced anything prior, so just knowing that it's just golf.

I know we do this for a living, but if I can enjoy it, take it one shot at a time, I think it will work out in my favor.

Q. How long has Will been on your bag?

JENNIFER CHANG: We started at the beginning of this year.

Q. How has he helped you?

JENNIFER CHANG: He has helped me a lot. He is such a calm, mellow person. So when I kind of get upset, he will let me have my moment for, like, ten seconds, and then he is, like, Jen, let's get right back into it. It's nice to have someone be part of the whole process.