TRUST GOLF WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN

July 31, 2022

Ayaka Furue

Dundonald Links

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome inside the press room here at the Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open. It is Ayaka Furue that is our champion this year, your first win on the LPGA Tour. Just how excited are you and what are some of the emotions you're feeling.

AYAKA FURUE: I'm very happy. I was four shots back. I thought it would be difficult to catch the top, good players. But I'm very happy I played good golf and I was able to come out as a winner.

THE MODERATOR: You said it yourself, four shots back. Coming into today, what was your mindset? You went super low, played really well and actually shot the course record here at Dundonald Links. What were you thinking about as you looked to chase down the leader.

AYAKA FURUE: I had the right mindset. I thought I had to go low, and I played very well. I hit good shots. All around my game was good, and the birdie putts I wanted to make and had to make, I was able to make.

THE MODERATOR: Final question and we'll open it up. You're a rookie; you're not a rookie, though. You've had seven wins on the JLPGA. Did you think you would come out here on the LPGA and win in your first season?

AYAKA FURUE: I didn't think I would win as a rookie.

I'm very happy and I'm very grateful and very happy that I was able to win at a links course.

Q. Would this 62 be your best round as a professional or have you been lower than 62?

AYAKA FURUE: Yes.

Q. Congratulations on your spectacular round of golf today. What did you have for breakfast that helped you play so well?

AYAKA FURUE: I had some rice and chocolate corn flakes.

Q. No haggis?

AYAKA FURUE: (Laughs).

THE MODERATOR: Since the Match Play event, obviously you finished runner-up in that event and you've put together several good rounds of golf. What's been the key to your improved play and what's been the key for you this week?

AYAKA FURUE: My best part was I was very straight this week. And I made a lot of putts, short ones, and was able to make a few long ones, also.

THE MODERATOR: What is it about links golf that really worked for you this week? Obviously you had to make some adjustments to your game but what did you do to really play well on this links style?

AYAKA FURUE: I didn't change anything other than with my ball. I concentrated on how to play the wind.

THE MODERATOR: What were some of those shots and putts that you were making today? What have you been working on with your putting that really made a difference?

AYAKA FURUE: I putted well today. But all week, I putted very well. I've been working on putting two balls at once to square up the face to the ball and that helped me.

Q. How important was the role of your local, relatively local, caddie?

AYAKA FURUE: He was very helpful. He gave myself a lot of good advices. He was very helpful with after it landed, how much it would roll. He calculated that very well and helped me out with wind direction and how the wind affects play.

THE MODERATOR: Not only is it your LPGA wind but it's Mikey's first win in Scotland. What does it mean to be able to give that to your caddie and you two do it together?

AYAKA FURUE: Right after I won and I was notified that I was the winner, I was very grateful that Mike got to experience it in his home (country). I'm very grateful.

THE MODERATOR: We have a major next week. There's one major left. You've been playing solid this season if you okay at all your different results. How much confidence does this win give you as you look ahead to the AIG?

AYAKA FURUE: I will set a new mindset. I'm tired, so I'll get some rest and go at it with a new mindset for next week.

THE MODERATOR: You got to share a special moment with Japanese player, Nasa Hataoka, who has won out here six times. What did that moment mean to you, and how cool is it to join her as one of the Japanese winners on the LPGA Tour?

AYAKA FURUE: I'm very grateful that she congratulated me, and I would like to keep playing and be like her and catch up to her wins.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, it's been awesome watching you play this week and we'll look forward to you as our defending champion year.

AYAKA FURUE: Thank you.