LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY HOAKALEI

April 13, 2023

Grace Kim

Hoakalei Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Grace Kim. Solid day out there in these conditions. Made quite a few birdies today. Tell me about your round.

GRACE KIM: I think, yeah, I just hit some good shots. Put it within range where I could make birdie quite easily.

A lot of good stuff in there, so, yeah, just took my chances. Kind of rode with the wind. That's how you have to play out here. You can't really play against the wind at times.

Yeah, I guess I just enjoyed myself out there.

Q. Any of those birdies in particular stand out?

GRACE KIM: Probably the one on 11. Put it in the fairway bunker on the left and hit this like -- probably won't be able to do it again -- but hit an 8-iron, and, yeah, was only planing it getting on the green and stumped it and made the birdie easy.

And maybe the one on 18. Hit the pin and kind of missed eagle, but easy birdie.

Q. As an Aussie, I mean, this wind is something you're very, very familiar with. Has that helped you this week?

GRACE KIM: Yeah, I guess like just the course layout is probably quite similar to Queensland. You don't really get it where I'm from in Sydney.

The course is great. You just have to make sure you put yourself in the right positions. You don't always have to hit driver off tees.

Yeah, I guess having that a little bit of background from an Aussie country is very helpful.

Q. In your first few starts out here as a rookie, in the mix heading into the weekend. What's the mindset going to be?

GRACE KIM: A lot of people have given me advice. I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can, but take any chances as best as possible, be aggressive appropriately.

Yeah, whatever comes and goes, it is what it is at times. I had a good pairing this week as well, so hopefully another good one in the weekend.

Q. Last question: I see the duck pin on the hat. Is that a Leuk the Duck pin?

GRACE KIM: Yeah, so it's the Challenge Cancer For Jarrod Lyle. They've got one back at home. Yeah, just a nice representation. Everyone things it's fried chicken, but it's not. It's Leuk the Duck. Make sure you guys know. It basically just representing Jarrod Lyle, how he passed away with leukemia. Yeah, just something nice.

Q. Have you always worn that?

GRACE KIM: I think the last two years. I think ever since I turned pro like having that bit of extra exposure. Want to make sure I got that out there as well. Yeah, it's just kind of just always on my hat.