BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

May 28, 2022

Ayaka Furue

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Ayaka Furue coming off a playoff win over Jodi Ewart Shadoff to advance to the semifinals tomorrow. Are you more mentally or physically exhausted right now?

AYAKA FURUE: I'm more mentally drained than physically.

Q. Why is that? Why mentally?

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah, coming into the back nine I was 4-down and so it was pretty mentally draining having to rely on trying to get some birdies and give myself enough opportunities get those birdies, so I would say that's why it's so mentally draining.

Q. You've talked lot about focus this week and how you're so focused. Does being put under pressure help you play better and focus more?

AYAKA FURUE: From hole 18 I was trying to stay dialed in and then I forced it to a playoff.

Just told myself to stay focus and continue to try to win.

Q. Your putting was really good today. You're one of the best putters on the tour. Do you think that helped you win today?

AYAKA FURUE: To be able to have my putter just continuing to drop for me was just really lucky for me today, so...

Q. And can you sort of walk us through that last playoff hole? Both of your first shots were not perfect.

AYAKA FURUE: So I first hit my 4-hybrid and I ended up about 35 yards short in front of the green, and then I was able to knock it up to about seven feet and make my putt.

But from the tee when I first hit my shot I thought I was kind of putting myself into some trouble, and then I saw Jodi hit her shot and felt kind of lucky that she had flown the green and had to take that drop.

I think I was just really lucky on that last hole.

Q. Could you even see the green from where she was on her first shot? Could you see the green?

AYAKA FURUE: I couldn't see the green at all.

Q. What advice did your caddie give you then just to get that good shot and really good putt obviously?

AYAKA FURUE: So we had shot the distance for it for the roll out and it was about 20 yards carry and letting the rest, 15 feet, roll out.

So was just up to me to hit it 20 yards and then let the ball roll to the hole from there.

Q. All right. 22 holes in the second round. That's a lot of golf including the round before. How are you going to relax tonight and get ready for tomorrow?

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah, it's been a really long day, so just go home, do the same thing I been doing all week: take a cold shower, kind of relax, prepare myself for tomorrow, and come back out tomorrow and be ready to play.

Q. Have you ever played with Lilia Vu before? Do you have any experience, or do you any anything about her game? She'll be your opponent tomorrow.

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah, once in Hawaii we were battling it out against each other.

Q. And how did you play against her? Is she a good player? Are you nervous at all?

AYAKA FURUE: I don't really feel too nervous. I just think if I go out and have a fun day tomorrow that I'll be able to play well.