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MARATHON CLASSIC PRESENTED BY OWENS CORNING AND O-I

July 12, 2016

Chella Choi

Toledo, Ohio

Q. You're back.
CHELLA CHOI: Yes.

Q. Let's start off. How do you feel to be back? What did it feel driving back to the course? Did you get to the course today?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes, I play here. Little bit different conditions than last year. Last year like very soft in the greens, so I hit the green very fast, long iron and hybrid. But this year little bit long than last year, so drier than last year. You know, my distance is not far but easier than last year, so hope this year better.

I can't believe like it have been one year. Can't believe. But I'm so exciting come back to here. Everybody know my name and everybody talk about my street.

Street, right?

Q. Yes.
CHELLA CHOI: Very excited.

Q. Have you seen it? Have you seen the sign?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes. So a lot of player tell me like, Oh, I saw your street. You exciting? I say, Okay, $5 every day. Only this tournament, $5. (Laughter.) I'm just kidding. But I'm very exciting; I'm proud myself.

Q. Did you get to see it on the sign?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes. Yes. And I immediately came here. Yeah, drive a lot of time. Like just one street, Oh, my name. I drive every time and go around.

Q. You see it lots.
CHELLA CHOI: Yes. Oh, my name. (Laughter.)

Q. As you prepare for this week's tournament, what is your comfort level with your game right now? How well do you think you're playing?
CHELLA CHOI: Well, you know best round last year, so I trying think about trying to same, save my shot. I don't know. I'm very exciting this tournament, so I hope this week play so well. Hope.

Q. What is the difference in coming back as defending champion?
CHELLA CHOI: Everybody know my name in here. (Laughter), so it's very good.

Q. Do you feel any extra pressure or anything?
CHELLA CHOI: Very exciting, so I trying to more calm down.

Q. Overly excited?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes.

Q. Like a celebrity?
CHELLA CHOI: Yeah. Too exciting, so I try to, okay, calm down little bit.

Q. Is there something about your game that fits this course? Is that why you won last year?
CHELLA CHOI: Yeah, because this course is very narrow and a little bit dogleg right to left a lot. If I miss right side I don't have chance second shot, so always miss left is okay.

But I'm draw (indiscernible) so I always miss left. This golf course is really good for me.

Q. How did last year's win change your life at all?
CHELLA CHOI: Everything change.

Q. Like what?
CHELLA CHOI: You know, before win I play just -- I play a lot of times second place or Top 5 but I don't have win before, right?

So a lot of people say -- a lot of my friend and coach say, Oh, you don't have win but you play so good, so keep going, keep going. But, you know, I'm not okay. You know, seven year is really long year, right?

So after win, after won, like I change my mind. Like, Okay, I can do it. I can do second win. Everything change, my mind and my things.

Q. How much did that do for your confidence? Winning out here is so hard. Everybody says how hard it is. How much did that change your...
CHELLA CHOI: What people say? (Laughter.)

Q. (Indiscernible.)
CHELLA CHOI: Yes.

Q. This is your seventh time here. How much does it help to know about the course? Does experience help?
CHELLA CHOI: I know everywhere in here. Seven year, so this golf course, I made a cut every year and I play every year so well. Maybe two years ago I played third place, so every year good memory in here. So, yeah.

Q. It took seven years to win one.
CHELLA CHOI: Yes.

Q. I'm guessing you thought that might open something up and there may be a few more.
CHELLA CHOI: Uh-huh.

Q. A little disappointed that it's still the only one, that you had a whole 'nother year and...
CHELLA CHOI: Yeah, I hope keep my (indiscernible.) I know with Se Ri, Se Ri say five time won in here. So, okay. Before I retire. Okay, I can do five time, right? Starting this year. Okay, trying to second win in here.

Q. With your game, what is going really well right now and what do you need the most work on? Which clubs?
CHELLA CHOI: My putting is way better than before. My putting confidence is better so I can make the putt. Always my problem is putting. I miss a lot of putt last seven year.

But last winter I practice lot, so my putting game is way better. I hope this year is better.

Q. How do you feel about how your season as a whole has been this year?
CHELLA CHOI: I think this year very enjoy my game. Yeah, enjoy season. But score is not too good, but it's okay. I trying to very enjoy my life and my golf.

Before I won, like play is just for golf. Practice a lot every day starting -- I move to Monday morning, but I practice starting Monday, so very tired.

I never try before like good -- trying to good (indiscernible), but I starting this year. So if I go to Australia, very good, trying to find good restaurant, studying...

Q. So sightseeing and going out and taking some time off?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes, uh-huh.

Q. What's been your favorite sightseeing thing or restaurant? On Mondays, is that what you're saying?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes. In here, yesterday for Hyo Joo birthday party we go to steakhouse. Pretty good in here.

Q. Hyo Joo's birthday?
CHELLA CHOI: Yeah, Thursday, but only birthday party.

Q. So you had the party last night?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes.

Q. What steakhouse?
CHELLA CHOI: I forgot. You know, I'm Korean. I can't remember name. Very good.

Q. Good steakhouse?
CHELLA CHOI: Yeah. (Indiscernible.)

Q. You found it?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes.

Q. So you take control of social gatherings?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes.

Q. Good for you.
CHELLA CHOI: And you know, my age is not young now, so very tired. (Laughter.) I need a good eat, good food, so.

Q. Good food and rest.
CHELLA CHOI: Yes.

Q. What do you remember most from the win last year? What was the thing that sticks out the most?
CHELLA CHOI: Before play of No. 18 tee shot I missed left, but -- I lay up, but I made a really good par. So that's why I go to playoff. So that shot is -- I remember.

Q. The second shot?
CHELLA CHOI: Uh-huh.

Q. Tell us about your dad. That was supposed to be done.
CHELLA CHOI: Please don't ask my dad. (Laughter.)

Q. We won't ask him, but I'm asking you: What's the story? He's still here.
CHELLA CHOI: After I won I work with somebody, some tournament...

Q. How many?
CHELLA CHOI: Two.

Q. Two tournaments?
CHELLA CHOI: Yeah. Three tournaments. But it's really tough, because I work with my dad last eight year so it's very simple. If I just hit and if I need something, I can -- I'm not tell him. He know that, right? Very simple.

But if I work with somebody I tell everything, right? It's very tough. Yeah.

Q. Everything is too new and a little hard?
CHELLA CHOI: Yeah.

Q. So you asked him to come back?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes. (Laughter.) So you know, my dad always like, Okay, just until three week tournament, and after one week off, right? One week off you need a caddie, found another caddie. Okay, I promise.

After that, he ask me, like, Did you found a caddie? No, I'm sorry, dad. Please four more, okay? But he don't know British, but I (indiscernible) everything.

Q. So he's going to the British or no?
CHELLA CHOI: He going but he don't know that. (Laughter.) Don't tell him.

Q. You're telling him?
CHELLA CHOI: Yes. Yes. Next week.

Q. Well, you guys are still having fun.
CHELLA CHOI: Yes. But it's really tough. I know I need a change caddie for my dad, but it's very tough.

Q. He's doing if for you.
CHELLA CHOI: Bad daughter. Sorry. (Laughter.)

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