LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

February 5, 2022

Xiyu Lin

Crown Colony Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Janet Lin after a final round 63 at the Drive On Championship here in Fort Myers. Janet, bogey-free. Had to be a fun day.

XIYU LIN: Yeah, it was super fun. When I make the cut and I saw today is going to be a little less windy I really thought this course have lots of opportunities, so I really went for it today and I putted really well. Hit like lots of good shots, have some save. Yeah, it was really nice.

Q. Yeah. You had birdies at Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9 on the front nine. Start with that. Any of those five stand out to you?

XIYU LIN: I mean, every one of them because I just keep telling myself I need to keep going. When the course is in less windy condition I think there will be some low score, so if I want to move up I need to have some lower score than that.

I just kind of keep attacking, and then especially on the holes with short clubs in my hands. And then I really just being aggressive and gave myself lots of good opportunities.

Q. And then birdies at 10, 12, 13, 18 on the back nine coming in. Any of those stand out?

XIYU LIN: Yeah, actually, 13 was a big one because they made it drivable, but I hit a good 3-wood and it just didn't get a really good bounce so I was on the lip of the bunker. I was standing in the bunker, and then it's not a very easy chip, even it's only 25 yards away.

Then I left it a little short, about 20-footer, and I made that putt. So that was a big move because for short hole you always want to have birdie.

And then 18 as well I will say, because on 15 I had a really good chance, again 10-footer, and had complete horseshoe lip-out, so it was a little painful.

Then 16, 17 wasn't a good chance, and 18 I'm there like thinking, My lowest score on the tour is 8-under, so let's make a birdie and get to 9. It was good three shots and good putt and just very nice to finish up with a birdie.

Q. Yeah, you had a career-best score on the LPGA. What does that do to set you up for the year? Obviously early in the season, but to have a great event right off the bat has to feel good and build some confidence for the rest of the season.

XIYU LIN: Yeah, I was a little nervous before these two tournaments because I had quite a long break and then also did some changes. So I was a little bit rusty last week, but then this week I feel like the course, I really like the course, and the green is in great shape.

It's really a good course for my game, so I'm happy I can pull out a good score here. I think that builds lots of confidence because I really want to have big breakthrough this season.

Q. You mentioned some changes you made. What were some of those changes?

XIYU LIN: I mean, I change a new driver, which is really good, and then also the putter. And I actually change the putter the Monday of Gainbridge, so I been working on putting with coach over in the winter and just get back and forth, back and forth, lots of struggle and lots of thing going on.

And then right before tournament season start I decide to change another putter. Like last week I just kind of getting used to it, and this week I definitely feel way more comfortable have this putter in the bag.

Q. First off, what driver did you change to?

XIYU LIN: I was using like a Maverick, Callaway Maverick, and I just changed to the Rogue, the new one, Rogue ST. It's really good. Oh, hole-out.

It was really good.

Q. Wow. I think Kelly Tan.

XIYU LIN: Nice. Yeah, and it goes a little longer, too.

Q. And the putter, take us through the progression of changes and what you're now using.

XIYU LIN: I always use Odyssey putter but just a different shape of the head. Over the winter I was trying to work on getting my putting more consistent, so lots on the alignment and lots on the speed control. Then I found I maybe aim better with this putter, so that's why I put it in the bag last minute.

Q. And then your coach's name?

XIYU LIN: Tony Zeigler.

Q. And you mentioned breakthrough. You had a pretty consistent year last year, even 2020, so last several years. Do you feel that some of the changes you made can take you to the next step, the winner's circle?

XIYU LIN: Yes, for sure. Last year was a big breakthrough for me because I am only playing that little tournament to get myself in the Olympic. Compete in Olympic and come back and still have a really good finish on this tour, even though I play on like 17 tournaments, it's really big for me.

So I kind of aim a little bit higher after that. Last season really make me to see lots of, you know, thing that I could possibly do, and I wanted to make that happen.