BLACK DESERT CHAMPIONSHIP

May 1, 2025

Jiwon Jeon

Black Desert Resort

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here Jiwon after her first round at the Black Desert Resort. Busy scorecard for you, especially on the back nine. Take us through the round, especially the eagle on 13.

JIWON JEON: Well, so I mean, I started off like I think wind was pretty -- blowing pretty hard beginning of the round. Then I made like a couple mistakes on the first three holes, and, you know, I try to just refocus on my shot.

And then No. 4, which is par-4, I know I -- No. 5 I think -- I was capable of making birdies on that hole.

Then many of the holes I feel like I'm pretty straight ball-striker and then if I hit it straight I have a lot of opportunities to make birdies.

So I mean, I really committed to my shot with each shot on the course. And then number, was it 13 is the par --

Q. The eagle? Yeah, yeah.

JIWON JEON: So hole No. 13, very exciting hole. I hit a really good drive down the fairway and a 5-hybrid. I hit the green. It was little back of the green.

Then I just made a huge putt, like breaking 45 degrees. Feels like 45 degrees. Yeah, made that putt, which was very exciting. I think the momentum carry on from the beginning of the hole, or the previous hole, and then I continued to do well. Then I finished very strong.

Q. What was maybe the game plan coming into this week? Obviously a brand new course we've never played. How do you approach the preparation for this week?

JIWON JEON: I feel like this course, if I have a good target and if I hit the target correctly, then it'll be I think fine.

So for the rest of the round I try to focus on the target, every target, and then just hit the target. You know, just if it's a green light, just go for it. If I have to be safe, then I'll just play safe. That's my game plan for the week.

Q. Obviously we're playing in some elevation this week. Has that helped you or did you have to maybe dial back some of your numbers?

JIWON JEON: Well, so actually like playing in the afternoon it just flies like longer than I thought. I think I found it pretty quickly. So I mean, I was like struggling getting numbers earlier of the round. Throughout the round it was going even further and further, so I like talked to caddie a lot and then we have a good conversation on that, and then so I think that worked out really well.

The elevation definitely had an affect on the distance and everything.

Q. How many drivers did you hit today?

JIWON JEON: I think I only -- I think I hit like eight drives at least. Yeah, I think so.

Q. Because we had a player come in earlier only hit three.

JIWON JEON: Yeah, I know. I'm not a long hitter so I was able to hit a lot of drivers. I think I'm pretty accurate with my driver so I was very confident using my driver off the tee today.

Q. How much has that accuracy helped you, especially at this course? You only missed one fairway, missed three greens. How much of that accuracy helped you today?

JIWON JEON: Yeah, I think the accuracy is really crucial this week. There is a lot of rocks, like volcano, lava rocks, so we better keep the fairway. That's the key. I think that's the key for most of the players out here.

The rough is also very thick as well. Keeping the fairway is really important, and then hit the green. I think green still landing pretty softly I think.

So just if you hit a fairway, just hit the greens and then just move on.