DIO IMPLANT LA OPEN

April 22, 2022

Minjee Lee

Wilshire Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. I want to start on the front nine because we saw four consecutive birdies there. What was working so well for you in the morning do you think?

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, so I started on the back nine, which was my first nine, and I think those stretch of holes sort of set up for good birdie opportunities. There's a par-5 that you can go for, a couple short par-4s that you can make birdie on, as well, especially because we teed off a little bit earlier in the day it wasn't as windy, but when I finished on my front nine, it was much more windier. I think I just took advantage of good conditions and just shorter holes and opportunities.

Q. What was it like riding out that delay that we had today? I know some people still saw the debris on the course, some broken bridges, but what was it like keeping that competitive mindset?

MINJEE LEE: It wasn't so bad for me. I came and I was having breakfast and they announced the first delay, so I was able to just chill for a little bit up in dining, and then went to the locker room and they announced the next delay, so it wasn't so bad. I just sat in there for a little bit and then did my warmup and just came out to do some practice. It wasn't anything too crazy.

I know it was quite a long time, but I think it was okay because it was cold in the morning, so we went out when it was a little warmer, so it was okay.

Q. Definitely some differences between the weather yesterday and the weather today. I know the wind was still there. I feel like a couple players are still wanting the wind to pick up in the afternoon for some other players that might not have experienced it yesterday. What's it like for you to battle the windy conditions out here?

MINJEE LEE: You know, it's just like -- you just take it hole to hole. Sometimes the wind can -- it's a little bit different on the tee and then it's a little different on the greens, so sometimes it's like swirling around. I think I usually try not to take the wind on the tee to what the green is. I just try to evaluate as I go along and just kind of think about what my best strategy is on each hole depending on which way the wind is blowing.

The wind was actually a little bit different today than yesterday, the direction, so I think it kind of changed a little bit of my strategy, especially coming to my back nine.

Q. We talked about the wind there, but this is a place we talked earlier in the week that you've won before, you definitely feel a little bit comfortable here. Are you feeling as comfortable as you did in 2019 or is it different?

MINJEE LEE: I think it's a little different. I don't think we've ever played in winds quite this strong over the past how many times we've been at Wilshire. I think it just all depends on the weather on the weekend. Regardless of whatever anyone else is doing, I'll just do whatever is in my control.

I know I always say that, but it's very true. Yeah, I'll just take it day by day and shot by shot really.

Q. What is there to take from the last two days as you head into the weekend? Even with a couple bogeys on your back nine you're still in contention. What do you take heading into the final two days?

MINJEE LEE: It's definitely sort of like a grind-out golf course if you know what I mean. There's definitely a lot of birdie opportunities but a lot of easy bogey opportunities, as well, if you just get in a slightly wrong spot. I think it's just if you do have a bogey or a bad shot or a bad score on one of the holes, I think you can definitely bounce back with a birdie.

I think it's just good to have that in the back of your mind and just take it as it comes and not -- yeah, just take it as it comes.