SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ACER

June 7, 2025

Ilhee Lee

Seaview, A Dolce Hotel

Quick Quotes

Q. Okay, here with Ilhee Lee after her second round at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Not quite the same round as you had yesterday, but still, like you just saw, tied for first here at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Talk about how today prepared to yesterday for you.

ILHEE LEE: Today was totally different day, completely different day, and I knew it's going to be completely different day, so I didn't have any expectations.

Just like I did yesterday, I was just playing golf. Have fun out there. Made some birdies on first nine. It was fun. Happy again.

But, yeah, got a little bit of pain on my back on the back nine. Usually do on the second rounds of golf, but I will be fine after get some treatment after this, yeah, for tomorrow.

Q. I saw you on 18 earlier. Almost chipped in. You just seemed to be having so much fun out there today. What was your mindset coming into this round with a co-lead?

ILHEE LEE: I did not think of that -- actually I was enjoyed the co-leading first round until at the end of the round, at the end of the day, which it was great, but it was kind of little short because I was first off.

But, yeah, I got some bunch of messages from my friends and I was happy to hear from all the friends and fans. It was great.

And then today, I knew it's going to be a completely different day, so, yeah, came to the golf course two hours before, ate, did exactly same as day before.

Yeah, I didn't have anything different.

Q. Anyone in particular you want to shoutout that sent a message? Any past players?

ILHEE LEE: Past players? Oh, yeah, a lot. I.K. messaged me. Actually a lot of -- oh, yeah, Yani messaged me. Yeah, all my friends.

Q. With the double bogey, what happened on that hole and how good did it feel to bounce back with a birdie on the next hole?

ILHEE LEE: Well, for that 17th hole for me it's 8. I wanted to hit it close to the hole so I was a little bit short. I should have hit it safe area instead of hitting right at the flag, but I did because I was feeling good. I feel like I can go close.

But I missed by like less than a yard. Went in the bunker. The first putt, same thing. I was very confident. I had very confident on this putt. Missed it. I was fine.

Did the same thing, putt again and missed it again, which is golf. Yeah, then last hole, par-5, hit great tee shot, second shot -- the double bogey didn't really bother me. Yeah, so I just played, yeah, what I have for the last hole.

Q. Going into tomorrow you talked yesterday and today about not having any expectations, but is that going to be hard not to have some expectations tomorrow and hard not to get caught up in the moment of being on the leaderboard?

ILHEE LEE: You know what? I looked at the leaderboard after I think 17th -- I think it was the 18th hole. I looked at the leaderboard and said oh, I'm playing on Sunday. I was happy about it.

Yeah, and then, yes, I feel like all other people around me has more expectations than I do right now, but I'm pretty chill right now, yeah.

Q. And lastly, you seem to be enjoying this experience. How much are you enjoying just playing well and being in contention again?

ILHEE LEE: Just like I said, I love game of golf. I'm learning golf playing and also game of golf. And now I know how fun is this game is, so I'm just enjoying golf.

Q. You're here to win, right? You want to win.

ILHEE LEE: Sure, yeah. That would be great. (Smiling.)

Q. I know you're learning and everything, but the objective that you have I'm sure is to walk away tomorrow as the champion.

ILHEE LEE: That's I'm sure all of 144 players out there will think that way. I'm here to win. Yes, you're right.

But also that's something that I can't control, uh-huh.

Q. So you're going to play and whatever happens, happens, right?

ILHEE LEE: Yes. That's the results that gentleman --

Q. Good luck.

ILHEE LEE: Thank you.