NW ARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 23, 2021

Lydia Ko

Claire Hollingsworth

Pinnacle Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, Lydia, you are standing right here next to Claire. I know that the two of you have a quite good relationship. What was it like being able to meet her in person for the first time?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, obviously very cool. Over the last couple years I feel like a lot of things have been virtual, but now lucky is that we have good platforms that we're still able to connect, even if we're unable to in person.

But nice to kind of put an actual face to a name. Great to see her parents. When I heard about Claire, the DriveOn story is pretty inspiring. I think there were a lot of connections, like I felt, like between Claire and I, so really cool to be able to meet.

I know like with there being no fans and everything it was hard and with everything getting pushed back, and this was a great location. This is such a nice golf course and I think we're meant to have really good weather the next few days.

Hope Claire enjoys it. But, yeah, in my personal perspective, really nice to be able to meet Claire and, yeah, see her after I feel like we've been like pen pals for a while. Yeah.

Q. And Claire, I know you were even DMing Lydia during the Olympic.

CLAIRE HOLLINGSWORTH: Yes.

Q. How cool is it to put an actual face to the messages you guys have exchanged.

CLAIRE HOLLINGSWORTH: It was really shocking to be able to hear I was going to be able to meet you honestly. I knew it was going to be a virtual relationship, but I never knew I was going to be this close to you in person and get to talk to you.

So that's really cool. It's like a dream come true honestly.

Q. I don't think a smile has like left your face since I saw you this morning.

CLAIRE HOLLINGSWORTH: Yeah.

Q. How are you feeling at this moment right now?

CLAIRE HOLLINGSWORTH: Nervous and excited and just really honored to be here honestly.