HUGEL AIR PREMIA LA OPEN

April 20, 2021

Tiffany Joh

Wilshire Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome presence with Tiffany Joh here before Hugel Air Premia LA Open. Tiffany, welcome and thank you so much for taking the time.

With that, Tiffany, welcome back from Hawaii. The first question I'm sure everyone would love to ask you was how was Hawaii, your experience there? You just love to surf, so how was that experience in Hawaii?

TIFFANY JOH: Hawaii was awesome, and surfing is so integrated into the culture there that I feel like everyone starts surfing when they're really young.

So honestly, I felt like I was in the water with a million Lydia Ko's of surfing. Every eight year old was ripping around me. I love the culture, the food.

So I think I only ended up paddling out three times during the week, but I just ended up going to Waikiki at this break call Queens. It was very crowded but the equivalent of a golfer going to St. Andrews. There is so much history you got to do it.

It was really fun and the locals were so nice to me in the water.

Q. Was definitely a different experience from your surfing here?

TIFFANY JOH: The thing about surfing in California is the water is cold year-round so you always have to put on a wet suit. So it's an investment of time and effort to pack the wet suit, a container of hot water to shower after.

It's different in Hawaii where you can jump into the water wearing whatever you're wearing and get in the 20 minute surf and still go play a practice round. It's such a luxury.

Q. That's fascinating. Speaking of just having everyone ask you about surfing, I know we talked about that a few seconds ago, but how many friends have asked you since then?

TIFFANY JOH: Oh, man, if I had nickel for every player that came up and asked me if I had gone surfing, and then like maybe a quarter for every time someone said, oh, aren't you afraid of sharks? I don't know what it is. Everyone thinks you see sharks if you surf.

No, I think I kind of -- I like kind of having that reputation. I like having other girls know that you can play golf and take it seriously and still be really passionate about something else. I think if anything it's probably the only thing that's kept me out on tour for 11 years is having other interests.

So I don't mind talking about surfing at 0all. In fact, I love it. Anytime someone brings up surfing I'm like, Oh, yeah, yeah, let me tell you all about how much I suck at surfing but how much you love it.

Q. Awesome, Tiffany. Just how about this week. You mentioned being a little bit more serious. What does it mean to you to be playing here so close to home?

PATTY TAVATANAKIT: Yeah, L.A. is such a -- it's so close to my heart because not only is it really close to home, but I went to school here for four years. I mean, we played the back nine at Wilshire every Wednesday morning as a member of the UCLA golf team.

It's funny, because we would always have Wilshire from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and then the S.C. team would come in from like 2:00 to 5:00, so every once in a while you would have a changeover in the parking lot where you would see everyone.

Today my Pro-Am group played the front nine with Lizette Salas and the back nine with me. Honestly, those were the nines we saw a lot. It's so special to be here and L.A. is just I think the greatest city in the world.

Can't go wrong. Good food, good beaches, good people. I'm stoked to be here.

Q. You just taught me something new. So the S.C. team, how was that rivalry with you guys? It's interesting. I think everyone just assumes if you go to UCLA you hate everyone from S.C. and vice versa.

TIFFANY JOH: Yes, we were hard-core rivals, but at the same time, some of our best friends -- I hung out at the S.C. golf house most days of week. We were also incredibly close. I would say it's almost like a little bit of a sibling rivalry. It was a healthy rivalry is what we called it.

Q. Speaking of health, big partner this week is UCLA Health. How has that been? Talked to anybody from UCLA Health this week, and how important is that to be included in this week's tournament?

TIFFANY JOH: I have a really interesting story. I don't know if it was last year or the year before, but I was rooming with Marina Alex and she was having back issues.

Through the connections through UCLA Health she was able to get in and get an MRI that same week and get it all taken care of. That's such a point of pride for us as UCLA alums.

I was as far away from the sciences as possible, but UCLA Health has such a great reputation and we're so proud of it. It's like it's a really important part of this week.

Q. You definitely had your health scares too with melanoma. How has that been having that experience and everyone's health being the top priority of everyone's minds these days?

TIFFANY JOH: Yeah, I think it definitely taught me it never take health for granted. Money, tournament, like even your LPGA status comes and goes, but health is something you can really never replace. It should always be your first priority. Especially right now with everything going on I think everyone is taking extra care.

I did have expired Cheetos for breakfast yesterday so I'm not the best role model for this, but health is what allows me to come out and play golf. Allows me to go and paddle out with my friends and go for a surf.

As much as I feel like I have a reputation for not being the most like nutritious person, I will never again take my health for granted.

Q. Right. Just this week, what are some hopes you have knowing the course pretty well? Is there a goal you have in mind?

TIFFANY JOH: Yeah, you know, I haven't really had a great run of results in the past like three our four weeks. Honestly, not really here at this course either with how much I've seen it.

So I think for me, I want to get out there and be really comfortable. I'm not sure if like the lack of fans is going to work in my favor or not in my favor. I think for me, I just want to out there and be really comfortable and my parents are driving up today. I just want to show them some good golf. I would be a totally happy camper.

Q. How often do your parents get to see you play golf then?

TIFFANY JOH: Just in the Southern California events. So the Kia Classic, which my mom didn't get to watch because I couldn't put her on as support staff but my dad caddied, and they come out to Palm Springs and this event. These are their three weeks to watch some golf.

These are the three weeks they put hiking on the back burner and watch their daughter play golf. I'm pretty excited.

Q. Tiffany, thank you so much and good luck this week.

TIFFANY JOH: Thanks.