COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

May 14, 2022

Minjee Lee

Upper Montclair Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Minjee Lee, the clubhouse leader here at the Cognizant Founders Cup. How comfortable are you feeling in your game and how do you think you fared against some of these conditions today?

MINJEE LEE: To be honest, I thought we wouldn't get 18 holes done today, so happy we got through all the holes.

We actually finished quicker than I thought we would, so I'm happy.

Q. Take me through your round today, especially that eagle on No. 12. It's the second day in a row you eagled that hole. What does that hole do to set up nicely for you?

MINJEE LEE: I mean, I think everybody can get there in two on that hole. Today I had a little bit longer in. I had 4-hybrid in. Just with the conditions it wasn't quite as much downwind.

So I hit a really lovely shot in there. I just saw Ally hole her eagle putt first and I was like, I want to make eagle, too. So I holed my putt, too.

Q. What has it been like for you the last couple weeks to be able to kind of see the momentum of your play just continue and continue despite the course we're at what kind of conditions? How satisfying is that for you and the work you been putting in lately?

MINJEE LEE: Definitely very satisfying to see the hard work you put in and then to see the results. I think it's really nice just to be able to put up a score and hit good shots and hit good putts.

So I think hopefully I can keep the momentum going into tomorrow.

Q. Minjee, it's always the hardest round to play is the one after you've had a tremendous round. After you shoot 63, what's the mindset coming into a round like today?

MINJEE LEE: I really didn't think about it too much. You know, I knew it was sort of in my control a little bit today, so I just tried to make as many birdies as I could.

You know, I hit a few loose shots here and there, so couple bogeys, but still a couple birdies too and an eagle.

So it was nice to finish off under par.

Q. And you say a couple of those loose shots. That's so unusual for you. Is it jarring when you hit one kind of squirrelly?

MINJEE LEE: No. Because I've seen a fair few over my, I don't know how many years on tour. I just think it was maybe like a focus error. I don't really think my swing has gone off or anything.

But everybody is going to make at least one mistake. I don't try and get too down on myself or think it's weird, because you're going to make a mistake at some point.

So it's just how well you can scramble out of it I think.

Q. And this is almost like a late-early start since you're finishing so late, out early again tomorrow for the finish.

MINJEE LEE: Uh-huh.

Q. How do you adjust your mindset going into a final round where you're going to be playing so early?

MINJEE LEE: You know, I think the pace might be a little bit better. When you're playing in twos sometimes it's too fast, so I think playing in threesomes sort of, I don't know, you can take a little bit more of your time I think between shots.

It might work well; I'm not sure. Regardless, it's going to be a fun day.

Q. To see yourself again in contention here again on the precipice of your first win since your major championship victory, what does that mean to you and how do you take tonight going into tomorrow?

MINJEE LEE: You know, I've been striking it really well pretty much this whole year. I've been working hard on my putting and working hard on everything, so it would be really nice just to see the result of a win.

But, you know, I just got to go out there and have fun. That's just going to be my mindset.

Q. And a follow-up from me for yesterday. Were you able to get at that double tea?

MINJEE LEE: Yes, I did.

Q. Having a three-shot lead when you started the round today, were you looking at the leaderboards to see if anyone can caught up or passed you?

MINJEE LEE: Not really. I mean, when it was passing I just sort of had a look anyway just to see where I was at.

But, I mean, I didn't go too far into whoever was scoring well or not, because I can only control what is in front of me and how I play.

Not too much.

Q. With the rain, how were you able to stay so aggressive on holes like 12 where you were able to make that eagle?

MINJEE LEE: You know, there was no wind. I mean, with this little spit of the rain it just seemed like it was just all gone.

And being so late I think it was just kind of very calm. With the rain it was a little bit like softer conditions, so I think we could -- I think everybody could be quite aggressive today.

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