WOMEN'S AMATEUR ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP

November 8, 2021

Rina Tatematsu

Quick Quotes

Q. Rina, thank you so much for joining us here in Abu Dhabi for the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific.

RINA TATEMATSU: Thank you.

Q. Is it nice to be here?

RINA TATEMATSU: Yes. This is my first time in Abu Dhabi, and I love the course. I love this place. It looks really pretty. I'm just really excited.

Q. You've just spoken about the course today. You played all 18 holes today. What were your thoughts? Are there any holes that kind of stand out as highlights as maybe, oh, this one's going to be tricky or this is a good birdie chance?

RINA TATEMATSU: I noticed that there's a lot of bunkers. So you've got to manage yourself off the tee well, and just like the greens are pretty big so you've got to hit it on the good side or wherever the pin position is. I don't know, just play my own game, I guess.

Q. Speaking of your own game, you've said that accuracy off the tee is going to be important this week. Is that an area of your game that's usually a strength?

RINA TATEMATSU: Yes.

Q. Any other areas of your game that you think are really good?

RINA TATEMATSU: I think my approach shot.

Q. Now, you go to Oklahoma State University, and you've had a really fantastic season this year. Talk to us a little bit about your form coming into this week.

RINA TATEMATSU: So we just came back from East Lake Club, well, me and my team won, so it was a really great experience. I learn a lot from every tournament, so hopefully I can bring my experience here this week too.

Q. Coming into such a major championship like the Women's Amateur Asia Pacific, is it nice to come in with some winning form? Does it give you some confidence for this week?

RINA TATEMATSU: Yeah, definitely, but East Lake Club is two weeks ago, so it's done. So just reset my mindset. Of course I have a good feeling, but I've got to stay in the present and looking forward for what's next.

Q. Well, looking forward to this week, have you set yourself any goals?

RINA TATEMATSU: Yeah, obviously, I want to play the best that I can, but I'm just not thinking too much about anything, just focus on the present and do my best and see how it goes.

Q. Your teammates at Oklahoma State last week, the boys Leo Oyo and Bo Jin, they had really great performances. Were you watching them, and do you feel like you want to keep on?

RINA TATEMATSU: Yeah, definitely. I was in class and looking at their scores and like, oh, yeah, let's go. I was really excited for them and happy for them too.

Q. Can you just tell us, what do you think having such a major championship like this in the Asia-Pacific really does for golf out here?

RINA TATEMATSU: I feel that it really gives us, the players, an opportunity to play in this like, if you win, you get to play in two majors, which is really amazing. Obviously, it's definitely everyone's dream, including mine. So just go out and have fun.