KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY P&G

September 8, 2022

Sei Young Kim

Kenwood Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Impressive round today. You had those putts rolling early. You also didn't miss a fairway all day. How important is it to make sure you hit the fairways out here on a course that has a lot of fairway bunkers out there that are in landing zones?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah, I mean, course got a lot of rain last couple days, so, yeah, kind of fairway little soft.

And then, yeah, if you're at the fairway it just (indiscernible.) It's a lot help for keep the fairway.

Yeah, this course is pretty good than I thought because greens are not soft, so it was little tough to attack the pin.

Yeah, overall I'm very pleased with the score today.

Q. A lot of long putts rolling in early in the round. How much confidence does that give you as you head into the next three days when it really matters to make those putts come Sunday?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah, I'm going to practice some for the 100 meter in, because couple holes really important with the distance from the second shot is over like 100 meter or in between the 50 meters.

So, yeah, just focus on it and, yeah, I'm very looking forward to next three days.

Q. You have consistently been in one of the last groups come Sunday. Top 20 finishes. What's going to be the most important part of your game to bring to the next level come tomorrow so you can put yourself in the best position for the final day?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah, just keep push myself. I keep hungry and I really want to improve my ranking. Yeah, I think that's why I consistently.

I hope I'm more better, better, yeah.

Q. Splendid day for the first day here in Cincinnati. What were some the expectations you had? I know the course took on some water and there were some definite changes between practice days and today.

SEI YOUNG KIM: I mean, course got a lot of rain and I expect the course is really soft, but after tournament I talk with my caddie. Greens are really firmer than we thought.

So, yeah, I think a lot of peoples put the effort for this week tournament. So, yeah, course is really nice.

And then I played the first time here, so, yeah, I'm glad to the new tournament.

Q. And you're definitely liking this new course. Hitting every single fairway today. What was working so well on day one for you?

SEI YOUNG KIM: I mean, couple hole is not long so you need to really in 100 meter shot.

Then and keep the fairway and then keep the green. If you over the green it's tough to the up and down.

So, yeah, just keep the focus every each shot. Yeah, stay moment.

Q. A number of birdies on the card today. What are some of the highlights for you?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Beginning, the hole, I mean, hole 2nd and the 3rd hole I got the birdies. Gave me a good, yeah, vibe.

So, yeah, I had a good confidence, so, yeah, I think that's -- I was able to play more relax. Good start.

Q. We saw some great play last week as well at the Dana Open from you. What has been going right in your game as of late that you have been working consistently on?

SEI YOUNG KIM: I mean, golf is not easy and not difficult. Sometimes really tough, sometimes easy. So, yeah, just focus on my feels. Yeah, and then, yeah, keep the push myself.

It's kind of different, like sometimes push or sometimes relax. Yeah, you need the combination.

Q. Combination. What specifically have you been working on over the last couple events, because when it comes to playing every single week, sometimes we see you up there, but it takes a little bit of rest while also working hard?

SEI YOUNG KIM: I mean, beginning years I wasn't good play what I want, so starting, where is it, Evian? No, no KPMG, my play is getting consistently.

So, yeah, I got good the confidence from there, so, yeah, I'm very looking forward next couple -- the end of the year tournament.

Yeah, I just keep doing it.

Q. Yeah, absolutely. One of the things you mentioned to ESPN was Rolex Rankings. One of your goals is to try to get that ranking back up. How much does that weigh on you or is it more about the golf will deliver itself?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Well, yeah, I want to -- I just want to overcome the my limit the play. So, yeah, I want to higher, higher, higher. That's my inspire.

Q. Yeah.

SEI YOUNG KIM: And then yeah, motivate.

So, yeah, that's my goal. I just break up, break up, break up, yeah.

Q. Gaby Lopez said something earlier this week where she wants to be limitless. That's kind of what you're saying as well. Are you feeling more free when you're seeing the results on the course over the last couple weeks?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah, it feels more -- but final round I wasn't good because too much I want to do something.

So, yeah, it's kind of -- I don't know how to explain. It's just play.

Q. You just want to play?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah.

Q. You don't want to feel all that kind of pressure.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah, I setting my goal, but when I play I just play.

Q. I remember over the last couple seasons you've said your main goals are to win like three times a season.

SEI YOUNG KIM: A year, yeah.

Q. Is that still in your mind?

SEI YOUNG KIM: Oh, yeah, absolutely. Every year. But I miss to last year. No win last year. So maybe in the future I have the more, yeah.