AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 20, 2021

Lydia Ko

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We are joined by Lydia Ko.

Q. I wanted to start, it seemed like you really turned things around in the middle of the round. What did you find especially off the tee on 11? It seems like that really kicked you into gear?

LYDIA KO: You know, I might have hit like one fairway up until that point, if that. I might not have hit a single fairway. Yeah, anyway, No. 1, I think I was making a lot of good saves and I knew that I was putting well and I putted well yesterday; that if I was out of position, if I put it somewhat decent within 20 feet, I felt like I had a good chance of holing it.

At the same time, my misses were solid. I think for me, it becomes a lot tougher when I'm missing it left or right when the contact is not good. But I was hitting it solid, and I think that's why, even though I wasn't hitting fairways, it kind of -- I didn't lose confidence from that. And I was just still trying to make a good swing and just hit a good shot, and obviously it lipped in as good as it possibly could, and after that I got into good rhythm.

I only gave myself a couple opportunities until 9, and then when you start putting yourself in better positions, it makes it a lot easier. I went in a decent amount of bunkers today, so I'm hoping to not do -- not get Derek to do as much work having to rake so many.

Q. I wanted to ask you about the bunker shot off your knees that was quite impressive. When did you first learn how to do that, my goodness?

LYDIA KO: Today. Today obviously I had to hit off my knees on No. 9, and then on 14, I hit where half of my leg was up the wall and the other half was inside. I actually had multiple times where I was like, I could do with being left-handed for a few of these shots. The sand is pretty fluffy, so the ball settles down after it hits a bank or rolls in.

It's not easy, but for both of those times, I said, okay, don't make a fool of yourself and like keep -- all of your core exercises are right for this moment. Keep that core tight and at least don't face-plant.

Q. When you were off the tee, did you make any adjustments with ball position? Wondering what your caddie is looking at for you.

LYDIA KO: He normally just checks my ball position because it has a tendency to creep forward, but it was literally the same. I honestly thought about the same thing process on all of them, and for me, I have a tendency if I don't hit it well, is I'll tinker on the golf course.

But hit the ball really well the last few weeks, and like even my misses, I think because my contact was good, I wasn't getting too frustrated about it. I just focussed on my keys and put a swing on it, and for me, I think if I hit a committed shot, I think that's all I can do, and if the ball goes left or right, I can't do much about it. So yeah, I didn't really think about something new that made it turn around.

Q. You've had some fantastic final rounds this year. How do you feel about your position and what's possible over the weekend?

LYDIA KO: Obviously it's great I'm around to play over the weekend. There was a point today -- I've been trying to think these last few weeks, what is meant to be is what's meant to be. But at the same time, if what's meant to be is for me to miss the cut, that would be disappointing, because this is probably one of the most excited I've been to come to the Women's Open just because I know what an amazing track this is.

So yeah, I don't think you can take yourself out of it, especially around a golf course like this. If you felt confident with a putter and you are hitting it somewhat -- pretty solid, you've got a good chance. Minjee showed that you can be quite a few shots back and be able to be the one lifting the trophy on the end of Sunday.

There's still so much golf. There's still half the field still out there playing, so you just can't count yourself out. But I'm just going to stay to my same strategies and be in a few less bunkers, or none, and that would be fantastic, and just see.

But yeah, it's been fun, and hopefully I can finish the weekend strong here at Carnoustie.