MARATHON CLASSIC PRESENTED BY OWENS CORNING AND O-I

July 20, 2013

Chie Arimura

Q.  First off, great playing today.  Kind of what was the key to your round?
CHIE ARIMURA:  Yeah, so I didn't miss the green today.  So I think that all holes are better.

Q.  So overall when you see your name at the top of the leaderboard, what is that feeling?  You're a couple shots off the lead, but to go into Sunday in contention.
CHIE ARIMURA:  Yeah, I feel good so far this week.  So I'll keep going, and I will focus on what is in front of me.

Q.  You're fourth right now in the Rookie of the Year race.
CHIE ARIMURA:  Oh, really?

Q.  Is that something that you think about during the year?  Is that a goal of yours?
CHIE ARIMURA:  Not really.  I don't think about it, because I don't play after September.  Like I played Japan Tour.  I didn't think about it.  So I didn't play well in this field, so I didn't know I was up there.

Q.  How has this first year been for you on the LPGA?
CHIE ARIMURA:  Well, it's a very hard time than I thought so far, but I think I will get good experience.  It's a very good thing for me.

Q.  And I know you and Ai Miyazato grew up in the same area, and she's been someone you've looked up to.
CHIE ARIMURA:  Yeah.

Q.  How much has she helped you this year?
CHIE ARIMURA:  Yeah, I cannot explain how she's done something‑‑ oh, how can I say?  Every time she helps, other Japanese players too, they helped me, and I always ask them something, so, yeah.  I can pick up a lot of things.

Q.  Going into tomorrow's round, anything that you want to do better or that you think you need to work on heading into tomorrow?
CHIE ARIMURA:  I'm not sure.  I'd like to concentrate at the time on this.  I feel I'm getting better this week, so I'll keep going.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports