THE CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP

March 30, 2022

Inbee Park

Mission Hills Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with Inbee Park at the Chevron Championship. You won this event before. Made that leap into Poppie’s Pond. What are some of the memories you're having being back here this week?

INBEE PARK: Yeah, I had good memories over the years, and obviously the 2013 was the highlight of it. I just love this golf course. Love this area. Love to compete in the first major of the year.

Course is in really, really good condition. It is probably the best I've seen, pristine conditions, so really looking forward to playing this week, and I think it's going to be a great week.

Q. You told me at the beginning of the year one of your New Year's resolution for 2022 is to win another major. First one of the year. How hungry are you to check that box this week?

INBEE PARK: Earlier the better I think. The earliest I could do would be definitely great. Obviously this golf course I think fits me quite well and it's playing dry and firm and fast, which is playing a little bit of advantage for me.

Hopefully I can take some advantage of that and take some advantage of the straight drives. Yeah, I really enjoy the golf course.

Q. As somebody that's been in the Hall of Fame for a while, obviously had that announcement come out yesterday about the changes to the Hall of Fame. Seeing Lorena around, does that recall any memories of you playing together?

INBEE PARK: Yeah, I was putting earlier today and then like I heard like very familiar voice and I was like -- is that from TV or something? I hear Lorena's voice. So I was watching and she was here and it was really great to see her inducted into the Hall of Fame.

I was a big fan of her back when I was playing with her. She was a great golfer and great player. Great to have her in the Hall of Fame together. It'll be a great thing.

Yeah, I had the moments where maybe, oh, ten years is very tough criteria to fill maybe, but now I'm here 15, 16 years. Yeah, but, yeah, it's good to have her.

Q. So as you said, there was a time you thought ten was tough.

INBEE PARK: Yeah.

Q. Do you like that change?

INBEE PARK: Yeah. I mean, I think that pretty much gave a lot of the players who obviously wants to do something earlier in their career and then maybe want to do something else in in the career but had the great career when they were playing, I think it gives them an opportunity to be inducted in Hall of Fame just like Lorena. She definitely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

So it definitely minuses the people who is getting out of it because of the years I think. I think it's good.

Q. How is your game now? How would you size it up?

INBEE PARK: My game is good still. I still feel like I'm quite competitive and can compete out here still; that's why I'm here.

Probably getting a little bit shorter over the years, but except for that, I think pretty consistent. Pretty good golf.

Q. Feeling good about your putting right now?

INBEE PARK: You know, it was very tough standard last week, because with the poana greens it's tough to see where actually my putting is at, but wasn't too bad.

You know, this week obviously is going to be a really good test of putting. I think it is not -- didn't hole as many as I would like to last week, last couple months I should say, but, yeah, I'll test again this week and see.

Q. My last one is just your overall impressions of Jin Young Ko. She's had some incredible streaks of late.

INBEE PARK: I played with her last week and she played great. You know, I don't really -- didn't see any -- she rarely makes mistakes. Her ball-striking is good. Short game is good. Putting is good.

I don't know. Like she's in really good form.

Q. How popular is she in Korea?

INBEE PARK: The golf is pretty big sport in Korea and obviously women's golf is very popular. I don't know how much she is, but I think a lot of people recognize her I think.

Q. You told me last week that the poana greens you couldn't take it personally. I think I heard at least six other players quip you in that regard. This week at Mission Hills, I know you said you are working a lot on your six -- footers, how are you changing the mindset from last week to this week?

INBEE PARK: You definitely putt with a little bit more pressure this week. If you miss the five, six-footer this week it's definitely your fault or you read the green wrong or stroke it wrong, one of the two. There is nothing to be complained of.

On the other hand, I think it's a really good test for your game as well see where your game is and what is wrong or good with your putting.

So I think it's a lot easier to hole six-footers on these greens than the last greens, so hopefully the results say that the same.

Q. You've been playing pretty well this season. Couple Top 10s already. How confident do you feel coming into a golf course you've won at before?

INBEE PARK: Yeah, I mean, I like playing in Mission Hills when it's firm and fast. When it plays a little bit wet and soft, I mean, that's where I like it the least.

Like this year's golf course conditions I really love. So if the ball goes the way I want it to go, I might have good results. Same for everyone, but course is in definitely really good condition. It's going to be good.

Q. Has it set in that this is it for Mission Hills, it's is no more on the LPGA?

INBEE PARK: It is sad. It is definitely sad and we will definitely miss this place and the fans around this place was always great.

Chevron definitely stepped this tournament up by so much, and I think definitely appreciate the opportunities that they've given us.

So we will miss this place, that's for sure, but we're going the right direction I think.

Q. As somebody that's been out here for a very long time playing this event, how much have you seen this championship evolve and grow over the course of your career?

INBEE PARK: Sorry?

Q. How has this championship evolved and where do you think Chevron will take it?

INBEE PARK: I think this tournament has very long history of the championship, and obviously Chevron is going to definitely step it up and make this tournament even more, even better, even more prestigious golf tournament.

So really looking forward to working with new sponsor, and I think they'll be good.

Q. Besides the obvious, what are some of your goals this week for your game and for yourself?

INBEE PARK: Well, I think jumping into last Poppie’s Pond will be definitely the goal of everyone I think. Yeah. The weather is perfectly hot and it's -- so we're ready. Everyone is ready to jump in the pool.

Hopefully I can be the person that can jump in the pond. It'll be great.