ARAMCO CHAMPIONSHIP

April 2, 2026

Nasa Hataoka

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Nasa Hataoka after her first round of the Aramco Championship. Very solid 5-under from you today at Shadow Creek. Just take us through your round.

NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, I started bogey first hole but made a birdie next hole, so I pretty playing solid today, especially I made all birdies on par-5s.

So, yeah, I really focus on that.

Q. How do you not let a round kind of spiral out of control after bogeying the first hole, especially on such a daunting course like Shadow Creek?

NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, sometimes after good shot end up tough spot, so just keep focus on my next shot.

Q. How good does it feel to have a very good score, or just one bogey even, on such a tough course like Shadow?

NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, before tournament get start we talk about my goal is 5-under total for four days, so, yeah, it was no windier condition. That's why I made so many good birdies today.

But I will play in the afternoon tomorrow, so it's going to be a little bit different to today.

Q. So you took advantage of the par-5s. How important is that and was there anything in particular you were doing or saw if those par-5s?

NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, it's like last week almost every hole you can trying to make a birdie, so totally different type of golf course this week.

So that's why par-5 is very important, few reachable hole, so, yeah, I play good today.

Q. How do you manage when a golf course is playing as long as Shadow Creek is this week?

NASA HATAOKA: If I hit fairways just keep rolling, so I didn't feel very long, but just few holes like second shot I have to hit hybrid. So that kind of hole I try to hit the green and try to make a par.

Q. I know we've played this golf course for several years at match play. Had a couple years ago played a few of these rounds as stroke play. Did you learn anything from that week when we had the stroke play rounds, notes that you kept that you applied to this week?

NASA HATAOKA: The course condition is a little bit different. Like rough a little bit shorter than last few years, and greens I feel like little softer this morning.

So, yeah, but still difficult this golf course, so, yeah, just trying to hit the right spot and, yeah, sometimes long birdie putt so trying to make from the par, from long range putt.

Q. Obviously got off to a really good start. How do you take this and apply that momentum to the next few rounds?

NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, my putting feels getting better so I want to take -- I want to bring tomorrow. And then, yeah, still need good preparation for tomorrow.