THE AMUNDI EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 24, 2021

Minjee Lee

Evian Resort Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Okay, so what is it about the ending stretch, holes 15 through 18 this week? You're 9-under par overall including four straight today.

MINJEE LEE: I feel like couple of the tees were like moved up today so we could go for it and have more chances for birdie.

I just played those holes really well today. The pin was on the front on the 15th -- wait, 16th. Yeah, 16th, so it was only like a little 9-iron in, so that put me -- I gave myself a birdie opportunity there.

The 18th obviously is a par-5, 15 th is a par-5, so you want to be making birdies on those holes. It was nice to be able to, you know, make birdies on those holes to get the momentum and keep on going.

No, it was just good. I just had a good last final nine.

Q. Bogey-free, yeah.

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, bogey-free.

Q. Is there something about the two nines that is drastically different, or is one a little easier than other maybe?

MINJEE LEE: No, I don't think so. Both nines have a mix of tough holes and short holes and long holes, so I wouldn't say one is easier than the other.

Maybe a couple holes on the front nine have a little bit harder driving, but other than that --

Q. Angles maybe?

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, like kind of left-to-right angles or right-to-left angles or just really tight angles.

Yeah, other than that I don't really feel the difference in the two nines, to be honest. Yeah.

Q. Is there something about the course when -- I mean, it is challenging, like you said the angles, the greens are challenging. Maybe just the more you play it the more comfortable you get during the day?

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, I think so. I mean, like the course is in such great condition. Like the grass is so nice and the putting surface is probably the best I've seen it in my, what, seven, eight years I've been here.

Yeah, I just think the more you play it the better you know like the course knowledge. So definitely the experience has been I think helping over the past three days this year.

Yeah, no, I'm happy that I played well today. I feel like I played well every day, but couple more putts went in today. Yeah.

Q. Do you feel like you put yourself in a spot where, major championship Sunday, six back right now, is that a lot or not too much in a major?

MINJEE LEE: You know, it can be flipped quickly, but I mean, the finishing holes, I don't know how Jeongeun is probably going to finish. I'm guessing she's going to make a couple birdies coming in. I'll probably have six- to seven- or eight-shot difference.

You know, I'm just going to play my game. I'm just going to try and make as many birdies as I can and try and catch up. But it's -- I can only control what's in my game. I'll just do that.

Q. You missed the cut here in '19.

MINJEE LEE: I did.

Q. When you came back here, was there any kind of, Hey, let's get back at this course this year? Let's get back on the right track in this major?

MINJEE LEE: You know, I didn't even think about it. I took it as another opportunity. Obviously being a major it's like even better. So, yeah, I really like it here, just the views and everything. I know everybody says that, but it does make you feel good.

Yeah, I mean, the course is challenging. You got to pick your spots right and commit to hitting it that way. I just think it's a good challenging golf course.

Q. What's the schedule look like for you next week and leading into the Olympics?

MINJEE LEE: I have a week off and then I leave on Saturday to go to Japan. Yep, I'll do that and then Scottish and British.

Q. Going back to the U.S.?

MINJEE LEE: Dallas, yes. My brother is going to be there so I'll hang out with him.

Q. Oh, in Dallas?

MINJEE LEE: Yes. He's there already, but...

Q. Just waiting on you?

MINJEE LEE: Yeah. It's his birthday next week.

Q. Oh, nice. Practice a little, play with him a little bit?

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, I think so. I think it'll be really fun.

Q. What's the course you play on?

MINJEE LEE: TPC Four Seasons.

Q. Oh, nice. Is he going to --

MINJEE LEE: Well he's already been out to Dallas National so I'm like, I'm so jealous. Maybe I can go out with him.

Q. He won't be going with you to Japan?

MINJEE LEE: No, nobody.

Q. Just you. No one is allowed, right?

MINJEE LEE: Well, yeah, just support -- what do you call it? Like my coach is coming. Hannah and I both have the same coach.

Q. Personnel.

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, and our physio is coming.

Q. And then excited to see Hannah, I would imagine. Been a while.

MINJEE LEE: Yeah. It will be good. She's had, what, like, five weeks off and then Olympics, so it will be good. I'm sure she's looking forward to competing again.