BMW LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP

October 15, 2025

Ina Yoon

Miyu Yamashita

Hyo Joo Kim

Hannah Green

A Lim Kim

Haeran Ryu

LPGA International Busan

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right. Hello, everyone and welcome to the media center at the 2025 BMW Ladies Championship. We're set for a great week here at pine beach golf links, and to kick things off I'm joined here by LPGA players Ina Yoon, Miyu Yamashita, Hyo Joo Kim, Hannah Green, A Lim Kim, and Haeran Ryu.

I will ask a question to each of the participants and open it up to media for any questions.

Ina, I will start with you. You're a rookie or the LPGA this year. What do you think you've learned from this season?

INA YOON: I try to have fun as much as possible, and the opportunity to join the LPGA is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, although my performance is not up to my expectation, I want to use every opportunity that I have. So this year, I really want to spend the time to strengthen myself and enjoy myself both in the States and during the Asian Swing.

THE MODERATOR: Miyu, you're also a rookie this year, a Major Champion. You played in the Pro-Am yesterday and the golf course today. What are you thinking about this golf course? What do you like about it?

MIYU YAMASHITA: The course and conditions are great. Everything is really well maintained, and so actually feels a bit like playing in Japan. I've been getting good vibes out there, and since it's my first time playing this event, I want to do my best to enjoy it and to compete.

THE MODERATOR: Hyo Joo, you're one of our 26 different winners this year on the LPGA through 26 events. Why do you think there's been so many winners this year on the LPGA Tour?

HYO JOO KIM: Well, I was expecting an easy question -- but I got the most difficult question which I was not expecting, but anyway, I think at the moment, the LPGA Tour, there isn't any one outstanding player. It's really everyone has great competences and great performances. That is why we have multiple winners at this tour. For everyone on the Tour, it really is up to their skills, and I think it really depends on the luck.

THE MODERATOR: All right, and then for Hannah Green, our defending champion this year can you just speak to when you remember most about winning here this year?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, last year, I played really well, and I think the thing that made me cross the line was how well I putted. That golf course, the wind can be tricky, when we come to Korea, it can be strong and it can be quite gusty. So I hit the ball pretty good and then I made a lot of putts. So that helps.

THE MODERATOR: One more question as the defending champion. You touched a little bit about your game this season on social media. Can you talk about that and coming into this week and how you're feeling, maybe with that extra confidence of being defending?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, my golf game hasn't been quite where I would like it to be. The last few months has been kind probably the most hard time I've had in my career. I feel like one week I putt well, and the next week I don't; or one week, I hit driver good and the next week I don't. It's been very challenging.

I was back in Australia for the last three weeks, so was able to reset and was really happy to be home. So I think I needed that, and it's nice to be able to come to an especially event and defend. Hopefully that gives me good vibes for the tournament.

THE MODERATOR: A Lim, you're coming into this event with back-to-back top 10 finishes. Can you just talk a little bit about what's been going so well in your game? What do you feel?

A LIM KIM: So I think in the second half of the year, definitely I have gotten more data, which I am using a lot which has been very helpful, and also I've been doing a lot of good preparation in the off-season which helps me keep going.

THE MODERATOR: Lastly, for Haeran, you talked a little bit yesterday about having some time off leading into this event. Can you speak to anything that you did during that time off and what you worked on?

HAERAN RYU: So this is my third year into the LPGA Tour. So in the first two years of that tour, I tried to participate in as many events as possible because I considered myself young.

But this year, luckily I have been playing earlier this year and thanks to Dad I was able to play quite well but after that, my condition went down and I was really looking for the right time to take a good rest. But this event is very near to my heart and my hometown. I want to play well in this local region, so I spent three weeks with my parents and doing lots of exercises to prepare for this event.

Q. This is a question directed to all the players. We had an event last week in Shanghai, and I saw on the media that there was a complaint regarding the conditions of the course and also the conditions of the greens. So I want to ask all the players, you just mentioned that the conditions and the course are well-maintained. Do you think that has impact on your play? And it's going to be raining for the rest of the day; that is the current weather forecast. Do you think this will have an impact on your game?

INA YOON: So, yes, it is difficult to maintain good courses in Shanghai because the weather was so hot. But every player at this event were under the same conditions. So we are in the same environment. So I really just focused on my play.

Just my impression of of the course in general, so I played yesterday and today, my first impression is the course is absolutely beautiful. That was the first comment made by my caddie is that it was very impressive. I heard it was very hot during the summer but I was impressed how well articulated the course was. So I want to thank every staff member who did such a about management of the course.

So I am very used to this kind of environment. The greens are also in excellent condition. So I very much look forward to playing on the course. And we do have a rain forecast coming, but this is something that I believe although we had no rain, the course will be well-maintained, and I'm sure everyone here is a great player who can really overcome the constraint of rain.

MIYU YAMASHITA: So it was hot conditions last week. But I really appreciate the members to maintain the course, and I could play well last week. I didn't feel like it was too bad, and I need to adjust. It was good for me.

HYO JOO KIM: So I didn't play last week. I only watched through TV but by looking at the TV I saw so many great scores. I know someone has scored under 24. So I really don't think players should be complaining about conditions they face because whichever conditions they have, they can really have good scores.

Regarding the course this week, as we have said, I think the course is really well-maintained. It's going to be like that for the rest of of the week.

Regarding rain forecast, I think rain isn't much of a problem and probably the wind is something we should more consider. Because I think if there's going to be a wind, the course is going to have a great impact. So I think this is something that we have to watch out.

HANNAH GREEN: I'm pretty much the same as what everyone else has said. I wasn't in Shanghai, and I also did see it on TV.

But yeah, 24-under par is an amazing score, and it seemed like putts were going in the hole. So that's what counts at the end of the day.

In regards to this week's tournament, it's a really beautiful golf course. We're right on the ocean, and the same thing, I think the wind will be the most difficult thing, as it can be quite gusty, and I've seen on the forecast that Sunday has very strong winds.

I played earlier today and I think the gusts were up to 30 kilometers, and I think it's going to be double that on Sunday. So hopefully everyone is safe in those conditions and hopefully make lots of birdies this week, too.

A LIM KIM: I actually played last week, and yes, it was very challenging. Seeing the under 24 scores really gave me a hit and I realized that we should play well even if we are in such a hard conditions. So this is something that I have learned from the event.

Coming back from Shanghai, the course today looks like to me, the course is really well maintained.

Like we all have said, I think the wind is going to be a key point. So later on today, I'm going to practice some low balls.

HAERAN RYU: Yes, so I also took a rest last week. So I watched the tournament, the event on TV. It looked very difficult but I guess it really depends on the players. Some found it difficult. Some find it pretty easy.

So I think what matters is if you did well, the scores don't really matter. And just to take off the stress that I have, I always remind myself that, let's say, the greens are too difficult, or it's not my fault the green is too difficult, that's how I really maintain my mentality.

Like we have all said, the minus 24 score, that's a pretty impressive score. Really, I think it's all excuses saying that the course was not maintained or it was very difficult. So I think every player can do well regarding where they play and what conditions they face.

And looking back, the event last week, the course this week is absolutely amazing. So it really depends just on me how well I do.

And I just learned from hand in a today that the wind is going to be twice that on Sunday and because my apex, my height is quite high, I need to watch out. So I am thinking how I'm going to play my drive on the fairway.

Q. So I have questions to Hyo Joo and Hannah. You are on a really good momentum this year with two runner-ups in these events, and playing at home, I believe you really have good motivation to win. So I would hope to hear your mindset on how much you've prepared and also we talk about the wind. What is your feel on the wind as you already have experienced the wind? And I'll just pose a question to hand in a. Again, coming back as the defending champion, how have you been preparing for this course and for this event.

HYO JOO KIM: Yes, so I have been continuing very good momentum with the two runner-ups. It really was down -- I think I missed a good fortune. So I really want to win more than any time but I try to put down this greed and try to keep up the good momentum that I have been having the past weeks.

Regarding the wind, actually haven't experienced the wind myself yet but it feels like if there is going to be a lot of wind, it's going to be difficult to have the right strategy on the course.

For example, some holes where the course is completely blocked by everything, is there's a valley way or if the hole is completely out to the ocean, then we are going to feel the wind right on us. So we really have to tackle that.

And I also heard there's going to be a lot of wind on the weekend, so I probably have to do a lot of talks with my caddie throughout the play. And I'm already getting some white hair; I might get some more after this event.

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, so my last tournament I played was in Arkansas, three weeks ago, and both weeks -- I took some time off because I think I needed to mentally switch off and have some rest.

I was fortunate when I was home that my coach was there so I worked with him a little bit on my golf swing, and I have a new putter in the bag for this next stretch of events. I hope it gives me some confidence for my game this week and also the rest of the season.

It's nice to come back to Korea. I always enjoy the crowds, some of the most amazing crowds we ever play in front of. Everywhere is my silhouette, so it's nice to see and makes it fun.

Q. What putter do you have in the bag this week?

HANNAH GREEN: I have a Scottie Cameron. It was something they kind of made for me. I wasn't sure I was going to use it, and then I was just playing around and was like, oh, I like it. So it's in the bag.

Q. So I guess you have all looked around the course, and I heard that the grass has really changed, similar to the Japanese grass. With these kind of courses, what strategy do you all have in mind?

INA YOON: Yeah, so I heard that the grass has been changed today. I heard that today, actually. But for me, I don't really find much difference. I try to have a consistent play, no matter which kind of grassy face. It's very similar grass with the Korean grass. So I'm going to try to keep that consistency.

MIYU YAMASHITA: So I think if it's like a Japanese course, and the grass is similar to a Japanese one, so I just do my best to play here.

HYO JOO KIM: So likewise, I just try to keep my play consistently as possible, no matter the grass that we face. I think the players with a lot of power probably have to play differently regarding the types of grasses. While I'm not a power play-style golfer, I'll just do it the same as I've been doing so far.

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, this is not a grass that I am used it. When you hit the fairway it's really nice but there are some areas in the rough where the ball can sit down and you might not be able to advance on to the green.

So the plan is to hit as many fairways as possible, and be able to attack at the pins.

A LIM KIM: Yes, so probably because I've been playing in the States, this kind of grass for me, it's not something that my strength comes up well. I find it frustrating. I know that there's a chance of a flyer when we play on the fairway. So this is something that I have to keep it in mind.

Nevertheless, I am not going to make any change to my shot style, and this is how it's going to be for the next week, as well.

So I just have to keep up the trend.

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, so my comments is similar to A Lim. Yes, there are concerns regarding flyers on the fairway. I've experienced that a lot when I was playing in Korea. So with that in mind, I try to open up a bit more and get more spin on the ball.

Nevertheless, the course itself is really well-maintained. So as long as we just be cautious about the ball getting in the rough, I think we are good to go, and we just have to keep that in mind.

Q. So I have four questions. First one to Ina. Ina, you're getting a lot of attention and you are ranking on the top of the ranked list, as well, and there are a lot of expectations from the fans. So can you meet that expectation? And also, other than the weather conditions, what worries you the most?

INA YOON: Yeah, so I haven't quite been meeting my expectations. My performance hasn't really gone well so far, but I have adapted to the tournament. I hope that my competences come up, and I think I am on the right track on that aspect. I really hope that I can have my first LPGA victory this week but even if I don't, I will always do my best, and I ask for all the continued support.

I believe we will have a lot of fans coming to the course throughout the play. I know the weather is not going to be great but I heard there is a great tournament because the energy from the fans will give a lot of support to the LPGA players and myself. So I'll try to do my best and really show it through my performance.

Q. Can you really see a good performance coming out of you for the rest of the week?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, so Jeollanam is my parents' hometown and I went to high school and middle school in Hangul, so Jeolla Province is very familiar to me. This is exactly why I have decided to take three weeks off before this event. Also, I really can't do preparation and practice to really show a good performance.

Since this is my parents' local region, my parents are very busy at this moment, getting a lot of phone calls. So I'll do my best. I'll try to do my best. I'll try to really show throughout a good performance for the event.

Q. And third question is to Miyu. So there has been a lot of media coverage that is going to be Japan versus Korea, and also you are one of the rookies of the season. Do you really look forward to being the Rookie of the Year?

MIYU YAMASHITA: So I try not to think about it too much, Rookie of the Year, and I just focus on my own game. Of course, I'm going to keep that as a goal but for me it's important to take it one shot at a time and do my best every round.

Q. So I know that there is a great thirst for a good performance that you want to make, so what kind of trainings and practices have you been doing so far, and there has been some articles regarding your concentration level going down towards the final day. So in order to overcome this, what kind of efforts have you been making?

INA YOON: Yes, so I myself went to the U.S. with great expectation but unfortunately the result wasn't that satisfying. So there's definitely a thirst for better performance. I've been practicing more than I have been doing in Korea. I think in the States, it's very important that I adjust to different types of grasses.

So whenever we have a relaxing week after the competition, I try to go to the next competition planning to do more practice beforehand. I've been focusing on tee shots that within 100 meters a lot, which I think I have made a great improvement compared to last year. Of course, there are a lot of shortcomings that I need to make an improvement as well but at the moment, this is what I am focusing right now.

Like you have mentioned, yes, there has been some loss of concentration as I go into the third and the fourth round. But I try not to put too much meaning into it. This is because I reckon I was on the lead the first two days, and then just not being too patient and I just put too much pressure on myself, and that's probably why I'm getting some missed shots.

So I try not to be too urgent about this. I really want to focus every shot that I make, and I hope I can break that jinx with this event.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, everyone, for attending this press conference, and best of luck this week.