LPGA MEDIHEAL CHAMPIONSHIP

June 8, 2021

Sei Young Kim

Lake Merced Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, here inside the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship virtual media center with defending champion, Sei Young Kim.

It's crazy to say defending champion because we didn't have that event last year. What do you remember most about your 2019 victory here at Lake Merced?

SEI YOUNG KIM: At the time I playoff with the Jeongeun Lee6 and then Bronte Law. Yeah, it was cold weather. Yeah, especially last two hole when we played playoff.

And then, yeah, when you get -- when you go to the playoff it's feels very nervous and cold weather, so, yeah, there is a lot of emotions, and, yeah.

But, yeah, I had a good memories, and then it was tough golf course. Yeah, so, yeah, but I made the win 2019, so, yeah, I'm very -- when I'm thinking, yeah, it's feel like, Oooo.

THE MODERATOR: You've gone on since that victory to not only win more times on tour, but then you have also won your first major championship. How did you think you've grown as a player since the 2019 MEDIHEAL Championship?

SEI YOUNG KIM: After win this tournament I got the good momentum and then, yeah, I have a good confidence and I able to play the good play until the -- even until the end of year.

So, yeah, 2019 is very special year to me because I win the biggest tournament, CME. Yeah, until before the CME even I win many time, but there is like no majors. Yeah, but when I win the last tournament, CME tournament, I feel like win the major tournament.

So from there I got more confidence, and, yeah, I think starting here, yeah, this tournament win a lot help me, yeah, growing up as a player.

THE MODERATOR: So you think of this place fondly when you think of your success?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Uh-huh, yeah. Because final round I was very grind myself, but I keep told myself even you're not -- even you're not perfect condition or shot, and then putt, everything wasn't good, but even then I just try my best and then whatever result I just do my best.

Yeah, and then, yeah, good results came to me.

THE MODERATOR: Very good results.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah.

THE MODERATOR: We come off last week at the Olympic Club. We were participating in this the U.S. Women's Open at a very difficult course.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yes.

THE MODERATOR: How do you feel about your game as you come into this week after what you were able to do at the major?

SEI YOUNG KIM: I mean, it was a really tough course. I mean, a lot of people say that and then a lot of players say that.

And then, yeah, I -- that course really tough. I mean, it was -- even I keep the fairways, tough to has like birdie opportunity. So, yeah, but I learn a lot, yeah, from there, so I'm very -- that's the reason why I am very look forward for this week, yeah.

Q. What did you learn about your game last week that you think will help you this week?

SEI YOUNG KIM: I mean, strategy, golf course strategy. It was normal when I play the last week because most time when I play on the course most time I'm just very simple. Just attack the pin and then just middle of the fairway.

But that course wasn't. Even if I hit the middle the fairway it can be roll in the rough, so I need a lot of shot, like cut shot and draw shot.

So, yeah, after I finish that tournament my instincts say you need more like cut shot. You have to more control with that shot.

THE MODERATOR: Yeah, no, that's a good point, too. Some of those fairways were very sloped. It was very challenging.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah.

THE MODERATOR: What are some of the similarities and differences you've seen this week or this course at Lake Merced compared to last week at Olympic Club?

SEI YOUNG KIM: I mean, this course also if you have a miss tee shot it can be block by tree, but the other side is open. Yeah, it's different. It's different, I mean, compared with Olympic course. Olympic course if you miss anywhere, yeah, you have to keep the somewhere. Yeah, it's different.

But also this course really challenging because greens are very slope, and then, yeah, you need to the really good shot and every tee shot, every second shot, and also greens are really fast and the course are really good shape.

I practice early morning and feel like really good shape more than couple years ago, yeah.

Q. You have played well on some classic old golf courses. Here, Aronimink. Old courses, classic designs. But you've also played well at Tiburon, which is a resort course.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Okay, yeah, yeah.

Q. Which is better suited for your game?

SEI YOUNG KIM: To me I like the Aronimink course. I was really enjoy when I played there. And then my shot condition and everything perfect when I played that tournament.

Q. Uh-huh.

SEI YOUNG KIM: I like the Aronimink golf course, but more Tiburon is more suit my eyes.

Q. I see.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah.

Q. So you're much more of a modern kind of player, something that's much more modern than the classic old design?

SEI YOUNG KIM: What do you mean?

Q. Older course like this one, built many years ago.

SEI YOUNG KIM: I mean, I think so, yeah. Result shows I like that, yeah.

But, yeah, I like the old course because a lot of tree and then there is classic golf course. It's feels I'm more very -- you need really good shot. Yeah, you have to right shot and then you need the good strategy.

So you need everything when you play the old course, uh-huh.

Q. And you talked about shaping shots.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Uh-huh.

Q. Is that something you'll bring into this week as well?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Not really. I think this week not really as much a last week. Yeah, I just keep trying straight this week. Yeah, maybe some hole, yeah, if I need I use, but I don't really like play like fancy shot when I need.

But, yeah, I just want to play like really simple, but if need course, yeah, I try. Yeah.

THE MODERATOR: All right, I'll wrap it up here with just a question. I know since your win you are now sponsored by MEDIHEAL, the title sponsor this week. What does it mean to have the support of MEDIHEAL back in 2021 since we weren't able to return to San Fran?

SEI YOUNG KIM: This week is my main sponsor tournament, so I really want to play well. I, yeah, just do my best this week, and, yeah, hopefully good energy this week, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: All right. Thank you, Sei Young.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Thank you.