HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 20, 2022

Pajaree Anannarukarn

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Pajaree Anannarukarn; six birdies today on your card. Pretty solid start. How are you feeling about your game?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: Excited to be back, first of all. I played really solid throughout the round and I hit some really good shots out there. Left some putts, but been a great day so far.

Q. First time playing in the Tournament of Champions.

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: Yes.

Q. First-time winner. What was this experience like getting to play with some celebrities for the first time today?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: Obviously very eye opening. I got to know them, more of them, and it was just a great experience playing alongside great athletes and getting to learn a lot from them. How they like spend time, practicing as well as what we do out here.

We spend a lot time on the course and practicing, grinding out there. It's just great to see and very -- see all these talented people, it's really great.

Q. Is it different playing with celebrities versus your fellow LPGA Tour pros?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: Yes, I think so. But just, again, really impressive how just one athlete is playing professional and they can do pretty well in the other sport as well. It's really cool to see it.

Q. We just came out of the off-season. What were you working on ahead of the 2022 season?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: I took like three or four weeks off just to relax. It's been a great year -- was a great year last year.

And then I just grinded out the last three weeks, working on things, short game and driving; just been seeing some results today, so hopefully will bring this in for the next few days.

Q. Had you played Lake Nona before today?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: Yes, I played last year.

Q. How different is the course playing from last year to this year?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: I think the wind blowed a little different from last year and the rough play a little longer, so it's very challenging but very fun. The greens are really great, in great condition, so it's fun day out there.

Q. How much of a premium is there in ball striking this week? I saw you hit 16 of 18 greens. How clutch was that for you today?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: I think I gave a lot of chances, you know, like I drove the ball really well off the tee, so it definitely gave me a lot of chances going from the green.

And I hit my irons really good today, so help a lot. Again, I putted good but I missed quite a few out there. You know, it's good momentum going.

Q. You had a great season in 2021. First win in a playoff. Had a lot of success. What are your goals for 2022? Hard to follow that one up.

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: You know, I just really wanted to stick with my process. I mean, trying to do the best I can. I had a great season last year. Just try to play better golf and improve on -- you know, hit more fairways and give me more chances to go into the green like today, and better -- you know, spend time on short game.

That's my goal. Make it to CME, play well in majors. That's pretty much all I think about.

Q. What did that win teach you about yourself? You're coming in the shadow of a lot of really great Thai players. What did that win say about yourself?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: My win?

Q. Yeah, your win.

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: Oh, I think all the Thai players just really inspired me a lot. I think just very motivated to see them win a lot of events out there.

It's just been great to be here playing alongside them on this tour. It's always been a dream, so it's great to be here. And to get the win, just, you know, I was really happy that I got that win obviously.

I really didn't think a lot on that day, but I'm glad I was really focused and concentrate on what I can do out there, and just really happy that I pulled that off.

Q. Last question: Following you guys on social media seems like you have a pretty tight knit group. How cool is it to have that sisterhood out here in a lonely environment as a professional athlete?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: Sorry?

Q. The Thai group I feel like is really close. What's it like to have that sisterhood?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: Yeah, again, I was really lucky that I got into 2019 as rookie and someone to look up to, especially Moriya and Ariya. They were here and so it was great to see them and also ask them for any advice, especially on the rookie year. So much to learn and it's just great to have them by my side.

Q. What's the mindset heading into the rest of the week?

PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN: You know, just try to play great out there. Keep hitting fairways and good iron shots and make some putts.

Hopefully it will going to be a great three days.