KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 23, 2021

Yuka Saso

Atlanta Athletic Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with Yuka Saso, rankings No. 9. Our most recent major winner, winner of the 2021 U.S. Women's Open, making your first appearance here. What have the last couple weeks been like for you? I imagine it's been a whirlwind.

YUKA SASO: It's been great. I met Rory. I met Phil. And had a few advice from Rory. I think it's been a great week.

Q. What was that like going to Torrey Pines? You met Rory. What was that like, and do you mind sharing what advice he gave you?

YUKA SASO: I'll keep it secret. But I walked with him for three holes and videoed his swing, my own video. That was very nice. He was very nice, and all the questions that I had, he answered me with honest, and I think he was very sincere, and so yeah, I was very happy that I was able to meet him.

Q. What has the reception been like back home, both in the Philippines and in Japan and certainly here in the States to your big win?

YUKA SASO: Obviously there's so many people who's cheering and messaging me after my win. I was very thankful, and it took me a while to get back to all the people, family and friends back home, but I think after four or five days I was able to get back to them.

But yeah, I think it doesn't stop there, so I'll just focus on what's next for me and keep going.

Q. What's next is playing in your first event as an LPGA Tour member with your membership card and all. Overall what have the first few days here been like at Atlanta Athletic Club for you?

YUKA SASO: I didn't know that I would get an exemption to be be a member on LPGA. So first I'm very grateful and thankful that they've given me a chance of playing here. It's been my dream.

I think I'm more focused now on playing here and I think improving my game more, learn from the best golfers here in the LPGA.

Q. What have the last couple of weeks besides going to Torrey Pines, what have they been like for you? Have there been more demands on your time than before?

YUKA SASO: No, actually LPGA and USGA were doing a great job on handling the media and all the other stuff. I'm very thankful for them.

I was able to recover and rest well for two weeks.

Q. What were your expectations like going to Olympic, and are they different coming into this?

YUKA SASO: I don't really expect anything. I'm just more focusing on what I have to do with my game. I'm trying to improve every day to be a better golfer, to be a better person.

I'll just do my best, and let's see the result. I don't know. I just want to have fun and enjoy my first tournament being an LPGA member.

Q. How often have you watched highlights of your win?

YUKA SASO: I don't really like watching my highlights. It doesn't feel good.

Q. They were good highlights.

YUKA SASO: Yeah, but I don't really like watching my own video. I'd rather watch Rory's. (Laughter.)

Q. How much have you watched the video you took of Rory?

YUKA SASO: I don't know, I haven't counted. A lot.

Q. What all have you done with the trophy since you've had it? Where has it been?

YUKA SASO: So I've had it for a week, I think, and then I gave them back to USGA to put the name on it. I think it's coming back in a week. So it's safe.

Q. I saw Jon Rahm had his trophy in bed. Did you sleep with your trophy?

YUKA SASO: Yeah, I did. I posted on Instagram. Actually my trophy stayed on the bed and I stayed on the couch. No, just kidding. Yeah, I slept with my trophy, yeah.

Q. What's the challenge of Atlanta for you this week? How is it different from Olympic?

YUKA SASO: I think the heat. I think it's going to be really hot, very humid, and the golf course, it's very beautiful and long, and it rained three days in a row, I think, so it was a little bit wet, played longer.

I think I need to hit good tee shots down the fairway so I'll have a chance to get on the green.

Q. Your win and your success has vaulted you into most likely playing in the Olympics. What will that experience mean for you to represent your country at the Olympics?

YUKA SASO: I think it will be a different experience compared to majors because I never really thought or watched golf in the Olympics. I think this is my second time -- first was Rio, I watched that, but that was my first.

I think it's a good chance to meet different athletes from different countries and I think learn from them, too.

Q. I want to go back to meeting Rory for a second. Were you nervous?

YUKA SASO: Yes.

Q. I'm guessing you had worked with the USGA to know that was going to happen, but what was going through your mind as you got ready to -- not all of us get to meet our idol.

YUKA SASO: So first we were already planning to watch the U.S. Open because we were planning to drive back to LA to some clubs, so I was going to ask the USGA if they could give me a ticket on Sunday if I made the cut. After I made the cut, I was waiting for Sunday to ask for a ticket, and thought that I would win, so I asked them for a ticket and they gave me a lot of tickets, so I was so happy.

When I got there, of course I went to find Rory first, and they did a great job on guiding me to see Rory, and Rory was so -- I told them I don't want to disturb Rory because it's a big tournament, I want him to focus, as well, but Rory was very nice, and I think -- for me, it felt like he was happy also.

So yeah, I felt good.

Q. Did Phil talk to you at all about any financial advice or how to fix Social Security or anything like that?

YUKA SASO: Phil? No. Maybe I'll message him on Instagram to ask those things. I think it's very important.

Q. What did you learn the most on your time playing in the Japan LPGA?

YUKA SASO: I think there's a lot. I think -- how to say it? Well, in Japan there's veteran pros that played here on LPGA, as well, and I played with them a couple times. The way they handle the scoring and then the way -- because me when I started in Japan, I didn't know how to -- no, not that. I think they were more focused on what they have to do inside the golf course, and I think their course management, I think I learned a lot, also, because the fairways were narrow, greens are fast.

The golf courses in Japan is hilly. I don't know if you know that. I think that helped me to practice my shots on elevated shots.

So yeah, I think those are the biggest things that I learned in Japan.

Q. When you think back to your Open win, do you recall at what point you thought you had a chance to win?

YUKA SASO: I wasn't really thinking about winning or losing. I was just trying to play my best golf as much as I can and focusing on my shot. Yeah.

Q. The next shot?

YUKA SASO: Yeah, the next shot, yes.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much, Yuka. Really appreciate it. Enjoy this week.