SHOPRITE LPGA POWERED BY WAKEFERN

May 29, 2026

Soo Bin Joo

Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, Bay Course

Quick Quotes

Q. Joining us today after the first round of the ShopRite LPGA powered by Wakefern is Soo Bin Joo. You had a really strong round today, including an eagle on your 9th hole, but No. 18. Take us through that eagle.

SOO BIN JOO: Yeah, well the first how many, eight holes was not that fun for me, and I really wanted a birdie or a good number than that on 18.

I knew that I had a good opportunity, so my second shot, I couldn't see where it landed, but I saw the ball rolled up right next to the cup. It was like I had a 12-footer putt so, made that.

Q. When you have an eagle like that and still nine holes to play, how do you balance your emotions and get yourself right back into your flow?

SOO BIN JOO: I think I'm good at controlling my emotions on the golf course. I don't know outside of the golf course, but, yeah, I was trying to stay as calm as I can because I knew that I have nine more holes to go.

Golf is a long game, right, so I was trying to stay patient as I can.

Q. We had some rain earlier in the week, but really beautiful today.

SOO BIN JOO: Uh-huh.

Q. Talk about the course conditions and kind of any specific approaches you're taking to the course this week.

SOO BIN JOO: Yeah, so when I arrived here on Tuesday, I mean on Monday, I had a practice round on Tuesday and pro-am on Wednesday. The greens were really slow.

I think Thursday and today we didn't have any rain so I think thankfully dried out and the course was in great shape, except for the couple holes on the green.

I heard that they had bad weather during the winter season here and I'm so sorry to hear that.

Overall everything was pretty good.

Q. You mentioned the first eight holes weren't that much fun for you. What was going on?

SOO BIN JOO: I think I couldn't catch up with the speed on the green to be honest. It was a little quicker than I thought, so I had one three putt for the first bogey of the day. Other than that, it was all good.

Q. I think in your last two events you missed the cut. What was kind of your emotional confidence level coming into this event, and how did that eagle on 9 maybe turn you in a more positive direction?

SOO BIN JOO: Yeah, so last two weeks I missed cut two weeks in a row. I was really disappointed on myself, because the week before in Mexico I had a good week.

Q. Right, right.

SOO BIN JOO: I think I learned a lot about golf during the past two weeks. And then I had a great time in Dallas during the week off. I kind of learned more about myself, how to play on the golf course and how to practice and how to get ready for a tournament.

So I think that worked really well for me.

Q. Was there anything, one thing you maybe discovered in the past, in the missed cuts and the off week, that you can put your finger on basically?

SOO BIN JOO: I think everyone says this, but it's not about the quantity, it's about the quantity. I think I kind of understand what that means now, so...

Q. So it's about the practice.

SOO BIN JOO: Yeah, about the practice. I'm a big grinder and I didn't know what I was grinding on during the practice -- I mean, the off weeks, so kind of analyzed my golf game with my dad and that helped a lot for me.

Q. Last one from me. You mentioned you had a great week in Mexico. I think you finished eighth.

SOO BIN JOO: Uh-huh.

Q. What did you learn there from being in contention that maybe you can apply tomorrow and Sunday here to benefit you?

SOO BIN JOO: Yeah, in Mexico -- before even Mexico I doubted on my game a lot because I wasn't sure if I'm doing this or that right.

But I just picked one swing thought and just trusted the process and kept believing on myself during the whole week. I think that's the key point. Just believe in yourself.

Q. Sounds like you're just trying to simplify things.

SOO BIN JOO: Yeah, yeah.

Q. Thank you.

SOO BIN JOO: Thank you.