BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

May 26, 2022

Ayaka Furue

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Ayaka after the second round at Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play presented by MGM Rewards. Really good match today; came out on top. How does it feel after tying yesterday to finally get a win?

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah, yesterday was pretty tough but I was happy I was able to finish out and tie up the match.

Then being able to finish on top today is pretty exciting for me.

Q. I see that you guys tied it up there on the back nine. Were you nervous at all when it got tied, and how did you push it out to get the win?

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah, I didn't have a whole lot of stress in me. Just kind of focused on the next shot and trusted in myself to continue to play well.

Q. How do you find the conditions out there? I know it was a little windy and a little hot. How do you sort of overcome that?

AYAKA FURUE: I made sure to drink a lot of water, especially after every shot and when I was walking throughout the course.

With the wind and the conditions that the course is in right now, I just made sure to have the right number and trust in it.

Q. Yeah, great. I played 18 holes of golf yesterday and 18 today, which is a lot for match play. What are you going to do to sort of relax and get ready for tomorrow?

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah, playing in the hot conditions is pretty hard on the body, so I think I'm going to go home, take a cold shower, and take it easy.

Q. And tomorrow you play Carlota Ciganda, who has been playing really well out here. Looks like she's probably going to win her match, and she'll have two points and you'll have one and a half. Tomorrow's round is a must-win for you. How are you mentally preparing for that?

AYAKA FURUE: I'm just going to try to play like I did yesterday and today and carry that into tomorrow's round; pray for the best.

Q. Are you excited for the pressure? Do you feel like you perform well when you have got tough competition in front of you?

AYAKA FURUE: I think it's on the side of having a good influence on my game and wanting to win.

Q. And then just one question about the tournament. How have you been enjoying sort of the hospitality and being in Vegas, especially a week before the Women's Open?

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah, obviously coming into a match play a week before the Women's Open is pretty exciting. I myself love being in match play and love the competition of it, so it's a good opportunity to see where my game is and see if it can carry into next week's round as well.

Q. Does this course help you prepare? Shadow Creek is in great condition. Is this course preparing you for next week's course?

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah, there is a lot of similar shots that I'm going to be hitting this week, so just kind of like I said earlier, relying on my game and where it's on the right now and hopefully that will just carry into next week as well.

Fastscripts by ASAP Sports...