MARATHON CLASSIC PRESENTED BY DANA

July 8, 2021

Nasa Hataoka

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with clubhouse leader Nasa Hataoka. You just shot a bogey-free 61. Have you ever played that well before?

NASA HATAOKA: This would be my best having six birdies in a row, and I was really happy to be able to have such a wonderful round.

Really made me happy.

Q. Definitely was a wonderful round. What was working for you? Like you said, you had six birdies in a row. What was the key to your success?

NASA HATAOKA: I think what was really working is I was able to control my iron shots to make sure I could get close to the pin to get the birdies, so I think that's what it is.

Q. Have you been working on that? Is that something you've been thinking about?

NASA HATAOKA: Yes last week since I miss the cut at KPMG I think that was my problem, so I really concentrated on the control shots for the irons, yeah.

Q. What was it like out there on the golf course playing so well, playing with Brittany and So Yeon, with the fans? Was it just a lot of fun? What were you thinking?

NASA HATAOKA: Being able to play with Brittany and So Yeon, the pace matched mine also so pace was really good. I think that all just came into right position to get me to this point.

Q. Awesome. And I mean, I know 59, was it ever going through your mind?

NASA HATAOKA: When I had my ninth birdie it kind of did come to my mind, but then after I only having two holes I just thought how great Annika was more than me getting it, yeah.

Q. That's awesome. Well, you were great, too. Have you ever shot 59 or 60 in practice before?

NASA HATAOKA: I think this 61 would be my best score, even practice or a round, yeah.

Q. Obviously you're in the zone out there with all the birdies. It looked fairly effortless; not like you're getting up and down is bunch for par. Did it feel easy to you or not?

NASA HATAOKA: I didn't feel any pressure on myself or didn't feel way good. Everything was just right at the center, so I guess I would say it was the zone, yes. I was able to control everything, yeah.

Q. Not trying to send bad vibes or anything, but one of the hardest things in golf is to back up a really low round. Why do you think that's so difficult, and what do you think your mindset going into tomorrow will be?

NASA HATAOKA: I think it's just in today's case I was able to get all the shots close to the pin, so it wasn't that I was having long birdie putts and things. I think the best is just not think hard and can just concentrate on just doing a good round and not think too much.

Q. Where were you this last week when you missed the cut at KPMG? Where did you do your work?

NASA HATAOKA: I was back home in Florida. Just practiced.

Q. Where in Florida?

NASA HATAOKA: Orlando, Lake Nona.

Q. This is your first time here?

NASA HATAOKA: Second time. Rookie year and this is second time, four years from that.

Q. Two more questions. One, next week you're going to play with Lexi at Dow. How did that happen? How do you think you will pair well?

NASA HATAOKA: My caddie, Greg, used to caddie for Lexi, so that communication brought this group up.

But it's kind of being a little pressure on me, but being able to play good today is kind of a little lighter now.

Q. Absolutely. It's going to be fun. We can't wait. Final question: We knew you were going to make the Olympic team, but it's the first time we're seeing you since you officially made the Olympic team. How excited are you to represent Japan?

NASA HATAOKA: Having it delayed a year and all these things happening, but I think being able to be -- to represent Japan and being able to play in that country really makes it exciting.

Q. I will see you there. I'm excited. Arigato.

NASA HATAOKA: Arigato, thank you.