DOW GREAT LAKES BAY INVITATIONAL

July 16, 2021

Ariya Jutanugarn

Moriya Jutanugarn

Midland Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with team March Madness, Mo and May. Talk me through the grind you guys had today and how proud you are to be still at the top of the leaderboard and in contention.

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: I mean, we didn't really have a good day today, but like it just -- I feel like because of this format it's very easy to making actually a little more mistakes, and of course we didn't really like hit it that solid out there, but I'm still very proud of her because she's trying to hang in there and we're trying to support each other and just -- we're still at a pretty good spot.

Q. May, what were some of the things that Mo said to you when things weren't going the way you planned them to be? Did she say any supporting words as you went from tee to tee?

ARIYA JUTANUGARN: First of all, I feel so sorry for her because I missed so much shot. Even easy par-5s she hit down the middle and I lay up under the tree. Like easy lay-up. It's a pretty tough day for me out there, but she really positive. She keep me like -- keep my head up. I feel really comfortable even like I have a pretty bad day today.

She's just like, keep telling me, commit to your shot. I don't care where you're going to miss, but make sure you commit to your shot. That kind of like positive thinking is like helped me a lot.

It's really tough day for me, especially the front nine, so back nine I started to hit some good shots.

Q. Mo, when you hear that from your sister about taking those words of advice, I know you guys both have talked about staying committed in your shots, how do you feel you fared with that goal there?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: Well, like front nine is a little tough for both of us. It just like -- when she missed a shot and I just feels like I don't want to miss the next one. When it's kind of like worry about missing, then it's not very fun to play.

And then the back nine we just like -- I just tell her, it doesn't matter where you're going to hit it, just commit it for me, please.

She starting to do a little bit more and more, and then -- she still hit a lot of good shots out there, just we had a little bit of everything like kind of make and miss and -- it was just a little bit of -- it's just kind of golf out there, but it's not like really bad. I don't think she hit it that bad at all, to be honest.

Q. May, tomorrow you go back to the best ball format. You guys yesterday posted a 59, only the third sub-60 round here at the Dow GLBI. What will you take from that round yesterday as you head into tomorrow's final round?

ARIYA JUTANUGARN: I would say we have lots of positive things like yesterday because I feel really comfortable to play with her, and the best ball, I just feel like easier, so like not much pressure.

Tomorrow we just try to do the same thing. Like have the same game plan and just kind of try to have better commitment and try my best.

Q. Mo, that walk-up song, how much more fun is that environment here on a Friday at the Dow?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: Well, I just think like because of everything like fans, it's just everything together, I wanted to have a little fun, and that's how we come up with that song.

Q. We talked a little bit about it a couple days ago, but being in contention here with your sister, how special have the last three days been for you?

ARIYA JUTANUGARN: You know what, no matter the outcome going to be tomorrow, I really enjoyed this event because I play alongside with my sister. We're growing up together, practice together, live life together, so it can't be better to have a chance to play with her.

Q. Mo, you're playing alongside someone who has won already this year. How confident are you in both of your games as we head into the final round?

MORIYA JUTANUGARN: Well, I just felt very confident just because I have her by my side, because I know like no matter what, she's going to support me just like I kind of support her out there.

I think like to play team event is no more -- like nothing more important than like you trusting your partner, and of course she's just like my partner, my best friend, and also my sister. So it's like nothing better than that.

Q. What would you imagine it would mean for the two of you to win this event as sisters?

ARIYA JUTANUGARN: I think we can't think that far yet. I just have to really focus on my game right now, and I have so much things that I need to do better tomorrow. If I can do that, the outcome will take care of it, yeah.