PALOS VERDES CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY BANK OF AMERICA

April 29, 2022

Lydia Ko

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Lydia Ko. A nice 67 here in the second round on Friday. Kind of got off to a little shaky start but bounced back. How did you switch your mindset after that early double?

LYDIA KO: I was able to make a good comeback after every mistake, and then I made a mistake again on the next hole.

But then I was kind of able to stop that pattern after making up and down for par on 17, and then made a really good up and down on 18. Probably hit it in the place that was most not ideal but got a good lie, so tried to take advantage of that.

Yeah, made a birdie on 2, and then on 3 I was out of position and I chipped like a 9-iron from like 90 yards. Actually from like 80 yards from under the tree and it went to like three feet.

So I think that shot was kind of a bonus. You know, it's the point where I was even par and then I don't want to be over par again.

I think that kind of changed the momentum and it was almost like a two-shot swing at that point.

Q. Take us through the eagle on 7.

LYDIA KO: Yeah, I hit a really good drive, 6-iron into the green. Hit it a little right than I was hoping to, but ended up making the shot look like I had planned it all the way.

I think it just used the ridge, and I think there are quite a few holes here where you can use the ridge to your advantage, some tucked pin positions. Ended up going to like five feet, so was a good place to putt for eagle.

Q. At place like Palos Verdes, how much does creativity on the golf course -- I mean, that bump-and-run 9-iron sounds like what was the most creative shot of your day.

LYDIA KO: Yeah, I think the greens are probably one the most difficult parts. Obviously poana can have -- can get in your head as well.

But I think at the end of the day, as long as I just put good strokes on it and hit quality shots, I feel like you're able to play. Yesterday 8-under, 7-under in the morning, I don't know if the conditions were different, but I feel like that score wasn't really out there, for me at least, today.

But you just have to play just creatively and be patient. There are some tougher holes and some easier ones, so even if you do make a mistake, don't give up, and feel like you can make up for it on the next hole.

And, yeah, I think driving is probably one of the big keys around here, too.

Q. You talk about the poana greens. Round one saw you have 30 putts; today you only had 23. What was the difference maker today?

LYDIA KO: I probably missed more greens today. I drove it as well as I did yesterday but some club selection errors, some just poor execution of shots.

But, no, I tried to not get too caught up and just be super patient, and I think that's what you got to do. It's not easy, especially when the wind is up.

I think some holes played completely different to like my practice rounds, so just having a lot of patience and enjoying it.

Q. Didn't see you last week at the first of these two weeks in LA. How much did that rest help you, especially at this golf course which is such a stamina challenge?

LYDIA KO: Nothing against that event, but I have not played well like the three times I've played there, so it was kind of not on my calendar.

It was nice. I actually took an extra few days and spent it with family after Hawaii, so I stayed back a little bit and then came over to California.

So it was my birthday. I said last year I missed the cut to not play on my birthday, so I just decided to not play golf on my birthday without having to miss a cut.

Q. Happy belated.

LYDIA KO: Thank you.

Q. Heading into the weekend, going to be in contention at a place you know quite well. How good does it feel and what are some of the positives that you're going to take away from these first two rounds with you into Saturday and Sunday?

LYDIA KO: I think I just got to stick to my own game. I feel like this is a course where you could be a long hitter, short hitter; it's not like a huge advantage to one type of player.

I think you have to putt really well and have to hit it pretty straight just to be able to give yourself shots into the greens.

So, yeah, I like golf courses like that. Sometimes courses lean towards one way or the other, but, you know, like Chris' words, it's a fair game for everyone. I think that's why it's quite a diverse leaderboard as well.