U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

June 4, 2021

Yuka Saso

The Olympic Club

Flash Interview

Q. Just a great day. What was working well?

YUKA SASO: I hit a good shots from the rough today and holed a couple putts. I think that made my day good.

Q. Why do you think you're so good out of the rough here?

YUKA SASO: Am I good? Well, first, if I go in the rough, my mindset is just to go for the fairway. I mean, it's really long and like sticky, so yeah, it's really hard to get on from it. But yeah, I'm glad that I'm a little bit good out of it.

Q. You've mentioned in the past that you admire Rory McIlroy and his game. I'm wondering what elements of his swing or his game impress you the most?

YUKA SASO: Everything. I like everything, yeah.

Q. You've held a 36-hole lead at your last LPGA tournament. What did you learn from that experience that you can apply for the weekend here?

YUKA SASO: Good question. Stay patient and enjoy.

Q. What's the key to enjoying the moment?

YUKA SASO: Stay patient and just be happy with the outcome.

Q. How much do you think about last year's result and what you were able to do at last year's U.S. Women's Open when you're going through Olympic this week?

YUKA SASO: Last year's U.S. Open? Last year it was very cold and I wasn't really expecting to play that good. It was really a good experience. For all the tournaments that I'm joining before here, at Olympic, I really had a good experience and trying to be patient. I think that helps.

Q. In Hawai'i you went back to Japan and played a couple events there. What had you been working on over in Japan before you came here to get ready for this major?

YUKA SASO: So when I went back to Japan we had to do the two weeks' quarantine. I wasn't able to go out. My putting was a little bit off for the first week and second week, but yeah, I'm pretty glad that my putting is getting better.

Q. Is that just from experience or is that practice over on the green before your rounds?

YUKA SASO: Both.

Q. Do you still watch Rory McIlroy swing videos on YouTube?

YUKA SASO: Yes.

Q. Is it true that you watch them for like an hour before you go to sleep?

YUKA SASO: Before, yes.

Q. Like how long ago did you used to do that?

YUKA SASO: I still do, though. The last time I watched it was Masters. I was just watching his golf and swing for like one hour, maybe more.

Q. Have you ever met him in person?

YUKA SASO: No, but I hope I will in the Olympics.