LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

February 3, 2022

Xiyu Lin

Crown Colony Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Take me through today's first round for you. We were just talking about how much you enjoy warmer weather compared to last week. What was it like enjoying the sunshine?

XIYU LIN: Yeah, I really enjoy today's weather as well as today's group. I think I really had a very, very good group with Nasa and Amy. Like we were just cruising along.

And then, I mean, because this course, it's doable, but when the wind picks up you really need to have kind of aggressive momentum, have it going.

Nasa play really good and kind of inspire me a little bit to try to stay with her. So I had a really good start when the wind is not taking up that much yet, like I had a really hot start, and then I hit some really good shot but the wind just got it or the wind just stop.

But I saved some really good pars, too. I think overall it's a really good round. Normally I would say I start my -- like start a tournament a little slow, but today definitely in a better mood, yeah.

Q. So going back to Nasa right now being the clubhouse leader, playing well with her, when someone you're playing with is on a hot streak like that as well, are you more in your own zone or do you want to match her, make every single birdie she is making as well?

XIYU LIN: Well, she makes some incredible birdie. Like she holes a bunch of long putts. That's a little hard to match. I just think especially in these conditions when sometimes you can be a little bit like careful about the wind, but you see your playing partner going for the pin even when it's straight into the wind or straight across the wind, so that's really good momentum I think. That actually help me a little bit. So I really, really enjoy the group today.

Q. You started off with a couple good birdies; kind of picked it up after that bogey on 15. What was it like coming through your back nine, the front nine, and what do you think was most comfortable for you?

XIYU LIN: I always think the back nine of the course is a little bit easier than front nine. I start off really good. That bogey was a little unfortunate. Then actually on the 18th hole of the course I save a really good par, so that kind of just like got me stay in the present.

And then like try to focus every shot again and then get to the -- my back nine. I know there is some longer shot and you can't really go for the pin every single shot, so I try to play safe a little bit and it all went pretty well.

Q. Yeah, I'm surprised that you say the back nine is easier. I just went out and rode around it yesterday and it just looks narrower. What makes it easier?

XIYU LIN: I don't know, like I feel like front nine is overall a little bit longer.

Q. It is, yeah.

XIYU LIN: Because I think when it's so windy, then I would like to hit some shorter clubs into so you have little more options. Like you probably have two, three club in the bag that you can hit and depends what kind of trajectory.

I really like that kind of -- when you're able to use your imagination and feel the shot I really like that.

But, I mean, and the green is in such good shape so it's really -- it's really a course that can have a low score.

Q. And moving into tomorrow, we were just talking about how last week you tried finding hand warmers it was so cold. Is it nice not having to worry about that as you take on Crown Colony?

XIYU LIN: For sure. This week has been so pleasant, nice golf course, nice crowds. All the member, they are so excited to have us.

And then little challenging wind, but, yeah, nice group, so I think tomorrow I just want to do the same and maybe do a little better than today.