BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

May 27, 2021

Lizette Salas

Danielle Kang

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Lizette Salas, who just took a 3&2 win over Albane Valenzuela. It was pretty tight back and forth early, but looked like you took control of the match there late. Walk us through the last few holes. You won three in a row to get a 3-up lead there.

LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, leading up to that I didn't capitalize on some of the opportunities to go up in the match. I knew the backside is a little tougher, so I had to rely on my accuracy and know that -- and my experience as well -- that I could pull off some wins and win the match overall.

And, you know, capitalized on couple of her mistakes, but she played solid all day and kept me on my toes. She was I think 1-up in the -- no, she got it to all square or tied, but, you know, stayed focused, stayed on my agenda, game plan, and we got the win.

Q. It was 13, 14, 15 where you reeled off three in a row there. If you could talk us through those holes and what happened to help you get the advantage.

LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, 13 was I think the par-3.

Q. Yep.

LIZETTE SALAS: She missed green to the right. I actually almost made a hole in one and didn't have to putt, so went up 1-up on that hole.

On the next hole made a great birdie to go 2-up.

And then on, what is it, 15?

Q. 15, yeah.

LIZETTE SALAS: 15 is a tough hole. You have to play that really smart, and I knew in order for her to make a move she's going to have to be aggressive. I played very conservatively and made a solid par on that hole.

And just kind of on cruise control from there. Didn't really need to get out of my comfort zone coming down the stretch knowing I was in control of the match. You know, I'm just happy with that W.

Q. And you're right, you're able to rely on that experience from your Solheim days, from good amateur days.

LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah.

Q. Do you think back to moments that --

LIZETTE SALAS: Hey.

Q. Jeez, thanks, Miss Kang. How much do you rely on past moments and past history in match play when you're in an event like this?

LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah -- Danielle, leave.

DANIELLE KANG: Am I really bothering you?

LIZETTE SALAS: Just kidding. Can you -- you want to ask me. Yeah, no, you know, played a couple Solheims and that pressure is undescribable, on another level.

So that's something that I could think of out on the course and know that I could pull off shots and I could make moves and I could win holes.

So, yeah, today was a good day.

Q. You are going to have this one. Oh, are you going to go up there with her? These two, no matter what happens tomorrow, facing off to...

LIZETTE SALAS: We'll still be friends after tomorrow. And we're watching Friends tonight, the reunion.

DANIELLE KANG: What was the question? How are you going to -- thinking about the last match play?

LIZETTE SALAS: What?

DANIELLE KANG: She usually saves my but during team games.

LIZETTE SALAS: We save each other.

DANIELLE KANG: I smash it by about six feet and she cleans it all up.

LIZETTE SALAS: Or I leave it short and you're like...

DANIELLE KANG: Tomorrow she will make me putt.

Q. Yes, tomorrow she will. She has every right to do that.

LIZETTE SALAS: Tomorrow is a new day. It's going to be fun.

Q. What is it like taking on one of your best friends? It has to happen.

LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, eventually it's going to happen. You know, we go way back and we know each other's games, and obviously this is her home course and you just -- I have to focus on me and what I'm capable of. I believe my game is there and I could maneuver my way around this golf course.

It's going to be a battle. It's going to be fun. You know, we're best friends and also competitors, so it's going to be a good day.

DANIELLE KANG: We go way back is all you got for me? (Laughter.)

LIZETTE SALAS: You are my soul mate, my best friend, Solheim partner, and to go up against her tomorrow is -- it's an honor and a privilege and it's going to be a good day.

Q. You two make my life easy. Any questions back here? I happen to be standing on the 13th green when you hit your tee shot there.

LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah.

Q. Were you able to see that it hit the hole?

LIZETTE SALAS: I just heard the crowd's reaction, but I knew as soon as I -- soon as it hit the club face I knew it was a good shot. Didn't really have to do much on that hole since she missed it on the right.

But I had a good club in, good number, and I felt really comfortable over the golf ball.

Q. Have you made an ace in competition before?

LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, I made one in Malaysia I think my rookie year, and made one in a practice round. Yeah, it's been a while.

Q. Yeah, that was only the second best shot today. I don't know if you heard, Bronte finished her match with an ace.

LIZETTE SALAS: Oh, nice. Yeah, I didn't. I didn't get my ace today. Maybe tomorrow.

Q. Tomorrow against this one.

DANIELLE KANG: Could you tell us about your birdie on 13?

LIZETTE SALAS: My birdie on 13? I already did.

DANIELLE KANG: Okay, never mind.

LIZETTE SALAS: Give me a good question, come on.

Q. Are you guys actually going to watch Friends tonight?

DANIELLE KANG: Yeah.

LIZETTE SALAS: Of course.

DANIELLE KANG: There's a reunion.

LIZETTE SALAS: We have matching friends like door, the yellow door.

Q. The frame?

LIZETTE SALAS: The frame. We have matching key chains. She got the set.

Q. Which friend are you?

LIZETTE SALAS: That's a good one.

DANIELLE KANG: So tomorrow will you give Danielle Kang some four or five footers?

LIZETTE SALAS: That depends.

DANIELLE KANG: That's a solid no.

LIZETTE SALAS: It depends. It depends. We'll see.

DANIELLE KANG: Okay.

LIZETTE SALAS: It depends. That's all you got? Come on.

DANIELLE KANG: I don't know what questions to ask. I never been on this side.

LIZETTE SALAS: Are you going to give me four and five footers? Absolutely not.

DANIELLE KANG: I got nothing today, so...

Q. You got something today, if that's it, thanks so much, Lizette.