MARATHON CLASSIC PRESENTED BY DANA

July 11, 2021

Nasa Hataoka

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right everyone, welcome inside the virtual interview room here the Marathon LPGA Classic. I am pleased to be joined by winner, Nasa Hataoka. When you came here this morning, did you imagine the day ending like this?

NASA HATAOKA: Didn't imagine it ending like this, no.

THE MODERATOR: What were some the thoughts this morning as you were coming to the course knowing the weather that was ahead of us?

NASA HATAOKA: I kind of knew, heard about the weather and the condition. I was more like thinking about it during the sleep. I don't know if I really slept well or not with the rain and all the suspension and everything, I was just not ready for this.

THE MODERATOR: How happy are you? This is your first win since 2019. What were some of the emotions you had when you heard? I believe you were stretching when we were coming to find our about what happened today.

NASA HATAOKA: Knowing that it's such a strong field and for me to have win every year was my dream or my plan, but since not winning last year it was really tough. But getting this win is good.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How nice was it to hit two shots today and still win the tournament?

NASA HATAOKA: Knowing everybody is working really, really hard to try to get this to a 72-hole tournament, and it's -- I wish it would've been able to do it, but with this weather it was really hard.

I'm happy to be able to win.

Q. What were you doing during the delay? How difficult was it to sit there for seven hours not knowing what would be the outcome?

NASA HATAOKA: I was in the car resting, sleeping, having a little coffee and listening to music. Somewhere along the way the pressure was kind of on me.

Q. Any particular music artist in particular?

NASA HATAOKA: Japanese music.

Q. How long did you sleep for?

NASA HATAOKA: About 40 minutes.

Q. Hi, Nasa. Congratulations.

NASA HATAOKA: Thank you.

Q. I was hoping to go back to the 61 for a minute. You talked about how great your control was with your iron shots during that round. What did you work on in particular with Gary to get your game in shape in that regard?

NASA HATAOKA: Missing the cut at KPMG. Even if I was playing well I guess my irons were the problem, so I worked with Gary on the distance for the iron. I wasn't really expecting it to come -- get the results this early, but this is the result that I got.

Yes.

Q. And then if I could just ask about your upcoming schedule. I know you're playing in the Dow this coming week but not Evian. How did you decide what you're going to play ahead of the Olympics?

NASA HATAOKA: As far as next week, Dow I wasn't expecting to be able to play with Lexi and it's going to really fun for me.

After that it was really hard decision for me whether to play Evian or not. Because Olympics was my dream to be able to play in it, I decided to go back early and get ready for the Olympics.

Q. What confidence does this win give you as we head to the Olympics in a few weeks?

NASA HATAOKA: Not being able to win recently I was kind of losing my confidence, but I guess this win is really giving me confidence.

Practicing just will not work out, so this win really will help me for the future.

Q. You used an Olympic Club ball marker this week. Did you use that as a source of motivation from how well you played at the U.S. Women's Open?

NASA HATAOKA: I think I'm using it to remind myself that I'm not going to go through that kind of situation and I'm just going to keep going. Every time I look at it it reminds me to just keep going and go for a win. That's what I use it for.

Q. You also had a pink ribbon with "Grace" on it this week. How much was she on your mind and what Jane Park's family is going through right now?

NASA HATAOKA: I know Jane and I also know Pete very well, so it was really, really sad to hear the condition of her little baby.

I'm just going to wish them best for them and hope that we can meet up again.

Q. Just wanted to go back to the Olympics for a second. What do you think a gold medal would mean? Have you imagined what that would feel like in Japan? I'm sure you have. And just your reaction to fans not being allowed at the Olympics.

NASA HATAOKA: As for the gold, of course it's very, very, very hard to get with all the international players and other players there. I'm really, really going to work hard to represent all the Japanese golfers that couldn't make it to the tournament and go for the gold.

As for the spectators, it's really, really sad that they couldn't be there. I just hope they can watch it on TV and root for us.

Q. I'm just curious how important routines are to you? After Thursday you shot 10-under and you stayed after the round for quite a while practicing. After yesterday, 7-under, and six shot lead; again you continued to practice quite a while. Is there something in particular you were working on, or is that just part of your normal process?

NASA HATAOKA: Even if I do play well there is always a mistake that I make. I always want to make sure I clean that up before the next day, so that's what I do after the round no matter how good I play.

Q. Follow up on the ball marker question. You are going to use a Highland Meadows one now in the future?

NASA HATAOKA: I haven't thought of that yet, so...

Q. What are you most looking forward to when you get home and how do you plan on celebrating?

NASA HATAOKA: My family is in Japan, so for the Olympics I can't go outside, so probably celebrate inside the house. I'm looking forward to meeting my two dogs.

THE MODERATOR: All right, thank you everyone and thank you Nasa.

NASA HATAOKA: Thank you very much. Thank you.