LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY HOAKALEI

April 13, 2022

Lydia Ko

Hoakalei Country Club

Press Conference

Q. All right, Lyds, great round today. Great way to start your title defense. How do you feel you played?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, I played really solid. You know, I felt like I kept it in play for most parts. The wind picked up quite a lot over my back nine, which is the front nine, so it made it a lot tougher out there.

But when you -- when it's like that you are grinding a little bit, but it's just as difficult for everyone. When it's downwind I feel like you can take advantage of some of the shorter holes.

So, yeah, hopefully I'll be able to continue the solid play the next few days.

Q. Where were some moments you felt like you were able to capitalize and have strong play today?

LYDIA KO: I made a really good up and down on 16.

Then was able to make good birdie on 17. I think it is one of the tougher holes out there, so to kind of have that one and have a good momentum and birdie 18 I think set the day up to kind of keep it going.

I feel like there could have been some that I wish had fallen, but at the same, I holed two really good par putts, and sometimes these are more crucial than the birdies.

Q. With all the wind, how much of an advantage do you feel like it was to go out early today and get your round going before the wind picked up?

LYDIA KO: To be honest, I don't think it's that much of a difference, because I have to play in this tomorrow. When I saw the weather forecast it's meant to be pretty -- like at least the first two days like 10 to 15 mile an hour, and then a little calmer over the last two.

But because we are going once in the morning and once in the afternoon, I don't think there are like significant differences.

Q. Already more wind than last year at Kapolei. What are some things you try to keep in mind when the wind starts to pick up?

LYDIA KO: Just try not to fight it and be really smart. Sometimes just double checking to make sure that wind is right, especially on crosswinds. It's important, like is it a little cross and downwind or cross and into, and they can make a huge difference.

I think just being really strategic, and just when I'm out of position, seeing how to play and what's the best approach from there.

Q. Every first round this year you've started under par. How important is that for you when you get out there just kind of the focus to start off strong?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, I think last year my tendency was to not start off tournaments like that great and finish strong, and like this year I don't think I've been able to finish as strong. Hopefully I'll be able to combine the both and just try and take it day by day.

It's difficult. To kind of keep playing consistently is the hardest thing I think. You can get there, but to be consistently there is hard, and that's what I'm trying to do better at.