JTBC CLASSIC PRESENTED BY BARBASOL

March 26, 2022

Nasa Hataoka

Aviara Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Nasa, nothing like a roller coaster of a moving day. Take me through what this Saturday was like for you here.

NASA HATAOKA: Obviously it was the moving day. I wanted more birdies. Had a really good flow, momentum going on, but around 8, 9, 10, 11 there was a lot of up and downs. If I could have had less bogeys, could have been better.

But overall it was a solid round.

Q. You made the turn with a couple birdies early there on the back nine. What was working so well for you there?

NASA HATAOKA: Hole No. 9, that was obviously a chance hole. I was able to hit a good driver.

10, that was a good par-5, so wanted to keep that momentum going.

Q. Then a couple good par saves out there, especially No. 16. I know we found the water there, but being able to make par on that hole, how important was that as you closed out your round?

NASA HATAOKA: Obviously that one was another chance hole. Wasn't the tee shot that I wanted to hit. Next hole was obviously par-5; wanted to get that one, too.

So I was able to keep that flow going, so pretty happy with it.

Q. You have some good memories here hoisting the trophy. What's it like coming back to Aviara every year?

NASA HATAOKA: Yes, I have a lot of good memories here. There are years that I didn't really play well, but overall I won my first tournament here, so it's something very special.

Try to do the same thing tomorrow.

Q. As a winner here, what does it take to win on a final day with the leaderboard so bunched up? What do you think it will take someone to break through?

NASA HATAOKA: I think one of the most important things for you to do is keep your flow going. Lots of tough holes, pin locations, so it's really important for you to keep making good pars and grab your chance, get some birdies, and, yes, keep that flow going.