BUICK LPGA SHANGHAI

October 11, 2025

Minami Katsu

Qizhong Garden Golf Club

Press Conference

MINAMI KATSU: Started off with a bogey on the first hole, but I was able to bounce back with a good chip in on the next hole. I was able to make a good flow from there. Had nice birdies on the first nine.

Overall had a solid round today.

Q. Playing with Jeeno and Minjee tomorrow. What's your game plan?

MINAMI KATSU: Obviously they're two of the great players. Really looking forward to playing with them. I'm sure there is a lot of things I can learn from them. At the same time try to keep my game -- focus on my game and really looking to play with them tomorrow.

Q. Looking at this statistics, I found out that yesterday was your first post-round lead on the LPGA Tour. Did you realize that at all today? Did you feel any certain way being the leader coming into today's round?

MINAMI KATSU: I don't really look at stats. I'm a bit surprised with that fact that you mentioned. Obviously happy with that fact, but I feel like my character, I can -- I feel like my character is more patient, so just try to focus on my game and looking forward to tomorrow.

Q. Japanese players have done very well this year on the LPGA Tour. What does that mean to see that and why do you think that is coming from the JLPGA?

MINAMI KATSU: You know, I feel like there is many Japanese rookies winning this year. This is my third year on the Tour so I'm really desperate winning, and feel like the JLPGA, the level is getting higher and higher each year.

I do play a couple events every year and when I get back I feel like the levels are getting higher and higher with a lot of spectators. Feel like that's a lot of pressure for them and that makes their mentality stronger, too.

So, yeah, the JLPGA is definitely helping us out.

Q. (Regarding different winners.)

MINAMI KATSU: I didn't know about that, there were no multiple winners this season. That was the first time I heard about that. So a bit surprised about that.

Also, it's very competitive out here and I feel like there is a chance for everyone. Everyone is grinding hard each day, and every since the I turned professional I felt that everybody has the same opportunity and chance.

So feel like that's kind of a surprise. But feel like everybody has a chance.

Q. What does it mean, your name Katsu? (Indiscernible.) Curious about your name. What does it mean, Katsu?

MINAMI KATSU: So my last name, Katsu, it means win in Japanese. To win. So it's a very strong and very like a lucky charm last name.

Minami, it came from my mom was the one who named me Minami. It came from a Japanese.

Q. Her father gave her this name.

MINAMI KATSU: Yeah, it came from this Japanese very popular manga. There was this character named Minami, and it came from her. My mom wanted me to become a person like her.

Q. Do you remember your round today, any up and down moments? Would you like to share with us your highlight moments of the day, good time, bad time, everything?

MINAMI KATSU: Making bogey on the first was definitely -- wasn't a great start. Hit the second shot to the green. It was about a 10-footer putt but I three putted from there, so it wasn't a really great start.

But on the second hole I was able to chip that in to make a birdie. That was definitely a highlight or that kept my momentum going.

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