HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 21, 2022

Yuka Saso

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Yuka, 2-under 70 today, another good round of golf. How are you feeling?

YUKA SASO: Thank you. Yeah, shot is pretty good. Just left a -- just my putting, it's not very consistent, so hopefully tomorrow.

Q. You've been struggling a little bit on the par-5s. You're 2-over on the par-5s.

YUKA SASO: Yeah, yeah, I am. I been giving myself a chance, but I just couldn't make the putts.

So, yeah, hopefully tomorrow.

Q. What is it with your putting right now? I saw you blow a couple by the hole.

YUKA SASO: Like it's not very consistent. I make good putts and sometimes I don't make a good putt, so I think it's just the feel because it's my first tournament.

I can't really expect anything, so it'll take time, yeah.

Q. Is that normally the part of your game that gets rusty quick?

YUKA SASO: I think so.

Q. Yeah. I mean, I know you talked about not doing a lot in the off-season. Really when did you start practicing again?

YUKA SASO: When I got here.

Q. Which was how long ago?

YUKA SASO: I got here earlier, on -- I forgot. I practiced a little in Dallas, too, before we came here, for few days, like two days.

But not much. I think we got here on 12, was it?

Q. The 12th?

YUKA SASO: I think. I don't remember. Sorry.

Q. On a course like Lake Nona the greens are pretty tricky. Have you noticed them being pretty tricky the last couple days?

YUKA SASO: Yeah, greens are very fast, and around the greens, because the grass is so, how do you say...

Q. Thick?

YUKA SASO: No.

Q. Short and thin?

YUKA SASO: Short and thin, yeah, it's hard to chip. You better hit the green.

Q. I hear you're having a little bit of a long drive contest in your head out there with Chad Pfeifer. What was it like playing with him and watching him hit the golf ball?

YUKA SASO: It was very inspiring. He hits the ball miles. You know, I was trying to keep up with him, but he hits it just really long, which, you know, pushed me to play good and hit it better. Yeah, which is nice, yeah.

Q. Did you always feel like that, or have you felt like that the last couple days playing with celebrities? Have you been trying to up your game a little bit?

YUKA SASO: Yeah, even they're celebrities or actor, they still play good. You know, I got to play good so I don't get embarrassed.

Q. Heading into the weekend, be a little colder, a little windier. What are you going to work on?

YUKA SASO: I think more on distance-wise. It won't get there as much as I think, so I'm trying to be patient and trying to take away the numbers that we want to hit.

Q. Have you enjoyed having him on your bag this week? I know that's not your normal setup.

YUKA SASO: Yeah, it's been good. He's a friend of my old caddie, Lionel, so, yeah, it's nice. He's very nice too and good to talk to.