SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ACER

October 1, 2021

So Yeon Ryu

Seaview, A Dolce Hotel

Quick Quotes

Q. we are joined by So Yeon Ryu after a 6-under 65 in the first round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer.

Clubhouse leader, and that was largely on the heels of an eagle today at No. 3. Start with that one. Take us through the hole and how you managed to find a three on the par-5.

SO YEON RYU: Well, actually I started with the 10th hole and I made birdie, birdie start, and after that it was bit slow.

But like you mentioned, I was able to make an eagle on No. 3. To be honest, the eagle putt I think was a little bit too much speed, but I was able to hit it just center of the cup so I was able to make an eagle, and that one really picks me up.

I think after the back nine, which is front nine for here, but back nine for me, I actually struggle with the tee shot little bit. And then I felt like I found something the last three holes. So hopefully that will be really helpful and hit it a little straighter or next two days.

Q. Yeah, you found something on those last few holes. Three straight birdies on 7, 8, and 9. What was it in particular that you found to find birdie?

SO YEON RYU: Well, I'm working on my downswing with my coach. My downswing is coming a little bit too -- like too much inside, so I'm working on (indiscernible).

But, you know, like I think sometimes I'm too addicted to golf swing, but perfect golf swing means not you're going to make a lot of birdies.

I really try hard to just think about how the I'm going to playing instead of just how I'm swinging. So I think that's the thing I really struggle on the golf course and that's the focus on the golf course.

But I guess I was think about the swing a little bit too much, and I just only realize it just five holes to go. So I just told myself, So Yeon, let's just focus on how I'm playing instead of swing. I think that one really help me out.

And then I think putting was really great on Sunday last week, and then that one definitely give me a lot of confidence to play this week.

Q. When you were the No. 1 player in the world you were by far the best ball-striker out here. Now your game seems to be a little more well-rounded. Is that accurate, and what do we attribute that to?

SO YEON RYU: Yeah, you know, I hope I can have one golf swing all the time, but unfortunately because we are human being our swing always has been change. Then like I mentioned, I think when I'm too obsessed with the golf swing I am not able to swinging well.

But I feel like now I know where I need to go and that I'm not distracted anymore, I'm not confused my more. So as long as I know which direction I can need to go and how I need to practice, I feel pretty much comfortable with the ball striking.

Actually doesn't really quite feel 100% yet with my swing, but once I'm going to feel much better I hope I can play like on 17. (Indiscernible).

Q. You mentioned you -- I guess were technically thinking about your swing throughout the round and then you switched. How did you make that decision or how do you stop thinking technically and just be in the moment kind of?

SO YEON RYU: You know, like I've been on the tour for long enough to know what's good and not good for me. Sometimes even though I know what's not good I just cannot stop thinking about it.

Then, I don't know, I just all of a sudden told myself again, So Yeon, you're doing this again. It's not good for you. Why are you doing this again? Let's stop it.

Then luckily I was able to stop it.

So sometimes, I don't know why, but sometimes I just kind of like give myself a wake-up call.

Q. Sometimes you just need a little pep talk or a little...

SO YEON RYU: Yeah, I think -- I always do pep talk to myself. Like sometimes just try to give me the confidence; sometimes just like I just want to remind myself something.

So like if I'm going to saying everything what I just told myself I might going to looks like a psycho. (Laughter.)

Q. I guess how much do you value getting away with something and scoring pretty well versus flushing it and scoring pretty well? Do you value them the same or what do you take from different types of rounds?

SO YEON RYU: You're talking about when I'm playing well and when I'm swinging well?

Q. Yeah, exactly. The technical side and the scoring versus...

SO YEON RYU: To be honest, like if you feel pretty confident with the technical side you're not (indiscernible) on the golf course.

So I want to say you really need to be well balanced, and then sometimes when you're not really playing well, if you're focused on playing well, sometimes just outcomes coming out together.

And then when you're just trying to hit the shot, sometimes just your swing is automatically coming back to normal, like how you want to swing it.

So it's really hard to say what's more important. I want to say we really need to have a well balanced.

Q. When you're focused on the technical side of things, if you're swinging it well, what does that brain space get occupied with instead of thinking about the technical side of things?

SO YEON RYU: I think imagination is most important stuff. Imagine the ball flying.

And then I think commitment. I think when I'm pretty feel comfortable with the swing, when I feel pretty comfortable with the technique, I'm able to committed my shot all the time.

But when I'm not feel comfortable with it I'm just sort of not myself. Like am I really able to hit 145 with my 8-iron. I started questioning myself.

So yeah, I sort of losing the question, but what I'm trying to say is when I feel confident I don't think I (indiscernible.)