SONY OPEN IN HAWAII

January 11, 2022

Keita Nakajima

Waialae Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Pleased to be joined by Keita Nakajima, current No. 1 ranked amateur in the world and the winner of the 2021 Mark McCormack Medal, thank you for joining us. If you could talk about what your thoughts are going into this week.

KEITA NAKAJIMA: I think I would like to thank you, Sony Company, all the players, all staff, all volunteers, all medias, I'm honored to attend this event. I will enjoy this moment and do my best.

Q. What are your thoughts on the course management? You played a practice round out there for the past few days.

KEITA NAKAJIMA: This course has a long par 4, like hole No. 1. Rough is big. Tee shot is very important for this tournament. I will focus on tee shot.

Q. What is the most pressure you've ever felt in your young career, most nervous in a golf tournament?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: I feel a bit of pressure. But I need to enjoy the tournament, just enjoy.

Q. So you enjoy playing, but when you're in a playoff, is your heart boat beating?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Yes.

Q. How many JGTO events have you played?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Last year? Maybe five, six.

Q. Did that give you confidence?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Yes.

Q. What kind of motivation or inspiration does Hideki give you?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: He's a superstar in Japan, golfer. I want to I want to catch up to Mr. Hideki and Mr. Takumi, as well.

Q. Why was it important that you stayed in college instead of turning pro?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Because Japan national team is going very well, so Coach Jones, does stuff for the team.

Q. Coach Jones?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Garrison Jones, his name.

Q. Did you do the World Amateur?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: This year.

Q. Have you never played? Have you played on the World Amateur Team before?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Yes, 2018.

Q. Every four years? Okay. And where were you when Hideki won the Masters? Were you home? Were you in front of a TV?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: In front of TV.

Q. Not sleeping?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: No sleep, of course. Excited.

Q. Did you think Hideki was a superstar before he won the Masters?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Of course he's superstar before Masters.

Q. Did you play other sports when you were young?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: No, just golf.

Q. Did you ever a favorite baseball team?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Tokyo Giants.

Q. U.S. Team?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Angels.

Q. What do you think is the difference of being a superstar between Otani and Hideki in Japan?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: I think nothing. Same.

Q. And what are your plans after this week between now and the Masters?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: I don't have tournaments after this but I have training camp in Japan with the Japan National Team.

Q. Do they go to Australia or stay in Japan?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: After this?

Q. The training camp, is in Japan?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Training in Japan.

Q. When will you get to the Masters?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: A little early. Just one week before Masters.

Q. What do you look forward to the most?

KEITA NAKAJIMA: Enjoy the moment.