BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

May 27, 2023

Ayaka Furue

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Ayaka; birthday girl; our final semifinalist. How do you feel?

AYAKA FURUE: Just happy to win today. It was really difficult and tough match today, two rounds, but, yeah, fortunately I was really happy with that.

Q. We saw on Golf Channel you had to shoot out from under that tree in the mulch a little bit. Walk us through that shot.

AYAKA FURUE: It wasn't an easy shot and I didn't expect the ball too close, but, yeah, I was really happy to have that birdie, yeah.

Q. Do you think how far you got last year in this event has kind of helped you figure out, whether it's recovery routine or how to play so many rounds in such an amount of time?

AYAKA FURUE: It's mentally and physically tough to have two rounds in just one day. I just think, yeah, I have experienced that last year, so hopefully I can get some kind of experience go through today's round.

Q. Wondering if you have thoughts on playing Leona, who's such a great match play player.

AYAKA FURUE: I know Leona is a really good player, so I just focus and concentrate on my play.

Q. Wondering if you have any lessons from last year's final day that you can bring into tomorrow as far as stamina or patience.

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah, I just do my golf and focus and concentrate on my play.

Q. Any motivation this week? You fell short in the final round last year. Any motivation and excitement to get another shot at it?

AYAKA FURUE: Yes, just really excited to have a match tomorrow.

Q. Last one: Doing anything tonight for your birthday?

AYAKA FURUE: Hopefully there is strawberries in the refrigerator so I get them.