HUGEL AIR PREMIA LA OPEN

April 21, 2021

Alison Lee

Wilshire Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. The grind paying off?

ALISON LEE: Yeah, I mean, I've been playing pretty good. Obviously it sucks because I only have conditional status this year. So it was nice to finally play in my first LPGA event last week. I had a good week.

Yeah, just, I mean, I feel like my game's been pretty good. It's in a lot better place now than it was the past couple years. So it was nice to even just get a start this week. I mean, I potentially wouldn't be here if I didn't make the Monday.

So just trying to take positives and just try and take it one shot at a time basically.

Q. You had I think four straight, maybe five straight birdies.

ALISON LEE: Yeah, I had five straight birdies.

Q. What was that like?

ALISON LEE: It was good. I mean, I just felt comfortable. He was hitting the ball good all day. I actually missed quite a few short putts.

Like on 9 I missed a four -footer and on 10 I missed another five-footer. So I was playing good and was able to roll some putts in, which was nice.

I was playing pretty solid all day. Definitely could have made a few more, but a little late in the day it was hard to reach some of the greens as it was getting darker and they were getting bumpy.

Yeah.

Q. You know what it takes. I'm sure you're aware of the reshuffle and everything. With a good finish last week I imagine another good finish will put you in a position where you can get back into that groove out here?

ALISON LEE: Yeah, so there is a couple more events -- actually you can come in with me. There is no one in there.

Yeah, so reshuffle is after Pure Silk. After this they have two events in Asia. I'm not playing in those. It's a limit field event. Pure Silk I'll probably play.

As of right now for the reshuffle I'm pretty good. I think I'll be able to play the rest of the tournaments for the year.

Q. Oh, nice.

ALISON LEE: So I'm just trying to take it positive. Obviously my original goal is to get full status back for next year, but with how I'm playing I feel like I just want to get into the mindset of being in contention again as opposed to worrying about making the cut.

I been trying to focus on just trying to be in contention again and make birdies as opposed to worrying about making par, you know what I mean?

Q. Yeah.

ALISON LEE: I think that's really helped just for me mentally, to play like that.

Q. Uh-huh. Is that something maybe you have been working on over the last year or two?

ALISON LEE: Yeah, I mean, I would say for the most part my game -- my struggle has come from like my mental game. I've definitely struggled with confidence on the golf course. I've definitely like last few years lost that bit of confidence.

So just feels good this year to just start clean slate and try and -- basically it feels good now because now I pick a target and it goes where I want it. I was at point in my life where I have no idea where the ball was going to go, and so it just feels good now.

I been working really hard with my coach. You know, I think quarantine and COVID was really good for me. I was able to spend a lot of time at home in it Vegas and work on my game and not worry about playing tournaments. Just basically trying to play good golf.

Q. Uh-huh, just work.

ALISON LEE: I think that really helped me. So, yeah.

Q. Last one I have for you. Tiff Chan was mentioning, because she lives in Vegas, too.

ALISON LEE: Yes.

Q. She talks to Doug Ghim I think and plays a lot with Na-Yeon Choi.

ALISON LEE: Uh-huh.

Q. Anyone in particular you pick their brains or play with out there?

ALISON LEE: Well, so all those people that live in Vegas I've known them for a really long time. Doug I was close with since we were like 14, 15.

John Oda. I would say one guy in particular is probably Kurt Kitayama0. You know, I was able to play with him a bit and he is such a solid golfer. Like hits the ball so far. Really impressive golf game. You know, he's on the European Tour right now. Had quite a few really good finishes this year and the last few years.

Yeah, seeing guys like that play, it's totally different. Obviously a lot of great female golfers out here, but guys is just another level. To be able to play with that and see that, see them hit the ball so far yet so straight, it's really cool to see and it sets a standard.

So, yeah.