BLACK DESERT CHAMPIONSHIP

April 29, 2025

Mao Saigo

Black Desert Resort

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Joined here at the Black Desert Championship presented by Greater Zion. Major champion Mao Saigo. Just a short time obviously since winning Chevron. How do you feel? Has it set in yet maybe that you're a major champion?

MAO SAIGO: I can't still believe that I won a major tournament. Very, very happy, but at the same time, I'm in a different tournament, new tournament this week and trying to switch my mentality for the week.

Q. I was just going to ask, how do you kind of switch, turn off what you did last week and focus on a new tournament, new event, new course?

MAO SAIGO: So yesterday I moved to here and went toe training gym; good so the work out; a little bit rest from it last week.

And after this conference I'm going go to the range, check the course, and I will just naturally switch my mode.

Q. I know on Sunday you said you didn't know how you were going to celebrate. Did you celebrate and how did you celebrate winning last week?

MAO SAIGO: So after everything was done with media, with the team, I had a champion's dinner at the clubhouse. With great food, great atmosphere, and with the team. It was definitely good time to share the feelings with the team.

Q. Switching gears back to this week, I know you said you were going go to the range and check out the course. Have you got see any of the course yet. I know we're at a new venue. What have you maybe made of Black Desert resort?

MAO SAIGO: I haven't got on the range or putting green, course yet, but the view is definitely different here.

Very excited to see, go on the course.

Q. What is the process for you to become comfortable with a golf course for a tournament you've never seen before?

MAO SAIGO: So first thing I check on the course is just write down anything I feel on the course on the yardage book memo.

Through the practice round I check where I should be for different pin position, where I shouldn't be. By doing that, really helps me going through the course management and get used to the course.

Q. Take us through the playoff on Sunday. You had to wait a long time to make your putt. What were your feelings as you stood on the green watching everybody else miss?

MAO SAIGO: So soon as I found out that playoff is with five players, I thought it would be a long, long day or time.

But when I was waiting for my birdie putt on the putting green, I was very nervous and actually the time went pass by pretty quick. I was only focusing on how hard I should hit the putt and how much break it will do.

Thank you.

Q. Have you ever played a golf course like this or played in Utah before?

MAO SAIGO: Nope. First time.