THE PRESIDENTS CUP

September 21, 2022

K.H. Lee

Quail Hollow Club

Press Conference

Q. Just how much fun has it been the last few days, being here for your first Presidents Cup?

K.H. LEE: I'm really mesmerized by the preparation, all the behind the scenes work, you know, the hospitality, and the golf course. Very, very overwhelmed by how well everything's been organized.

Q. How has the mood been in the team room and during practice? How is the players feeling knowing you enter the week as the underdogs against the Americans?

K.H. LEE: There's been a lot of positive energy, obviously. We're the underdog so there's been a lot of inspirational talks. But we have some really good personalities. One of them, obviously, being Tom Kim, who has kind of lightened the mood. Everything is positive, upbeat, and the energy has been great.

Q. (Not in English).

K.H. LEE: Playing a team event has been extra fun. I haven't played a team event in a while, but, you know, to have this team atmosphere, I feel super excited to start the week.

Q. (Not in English).

K.H. LEE: So it's been a while since I've worn a suit and not a golf apparel. So it was a very fun event last night for the ceremonial dinner. I felt like I took a hundred pictures with players, with wives, with captains, with other players from the other side. So, yeah, it was a really, really fun dinner.

Q. You talked about inspirational talks by some of the players. Can you give an example of somebody saying something really inspiring to the team and to you?

K.H. LEE: So obviously, Adam Scott being a veteran of this team, stood up on the bus and gave us a speech. Although we are underdogs, he wanted to let us know that the stage is for us to kind of come out of our shell and, you know, shock the world. And, you know, he had mentioned that I want each and every player to want that last putt to win the Presidents Cup. So that was very inspiring.

Q. (Not in English).

K.H. LEE: So Adam Scott, we took some pictures with Adam Scott last night, and our stylist would take the pictures from the bottom so our legs looked longer. But he gave us some advice to even go lower with the camera, and the only one that looked better was Adam Scott, unfortunately.

Q. (Not in English).

K.H. LEE: So yesterday, I played with Soo and Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Mito Pereira. And today, we played with Chu-Young, Tom Kim, and Adam Scott and Hideki. And, you know, it was -- again, today, with Tom, with the energy, had a very positive, fun practice round the last couple days. So I feel like I'm well prepared.

Q. (Not in English).

K.H. LEE: Usually, we play our own game during the practice rounds. But at the Presidents Cup, we've had a lot of teaching each other how to hit certain shots. Obviously, with the captains there, they're giving us a lot of advice.

But players like Hideki and Adam, it's not so much what they say, but just even watching them, I learned a lot. So, you know, some guys you learn from what they tell you, and some guys you just learn from watching them.

Q. You've been to the Asian Games and now the Presidents Cup. Can you say how the feeling is the same and different the two different competitions?

K.H. LEE: So the differences, well, it's easy to identify the difference because, you know, you only have four players in the Asian Games. Three of the four balls count, the scores count.

But the one thing I can say, the similarity is that we play for each other, and we play our hearts out because it's for the team.

Q. Are you going to try to go for the next Asian Games? They say professionals are allowed now. Or not, because you've already done it.

K.H. LEE: Because I played previously, and I'm a professional now, I'm going to stick to the PGA TOUR.

Q. Two quick questions on the Asian Amateur, which you played in in 2009, 2010. Can you describe the impact that had on you at a young age?

K.H. LEE: At an early age, I was able to travel around the world to be able to play in big tournaments against big players. So I learned a lot, and at that age, I was able to kind of be a global player. So it really helped me in my career.

Q. Just one follow-up. Do you have any specific fond memories from those couple years, playing in the Asian Amateur?

K.H. LEE: Pretty clear what my fondest memory was is I got to play with a Japanese player who happens to be here this week, which is Hideki Matsuyama, and I remember him winning. And I remember saying, wow, this player is going to be something else. And, you know, to be here with him is a really cool memory of mine.

Q. Do you have any thoughts about having four Korean players on the team and what it means for Korean and Asian golf?

K.H. LEE: You know, it really shows the growth of Korean golf, and I'm proud of that. And we are able to -- the reason that we're able to have the success is being able to lean on each other. Obviously, the familiarity between the players, I think, is just -- it's only going to grow and help us to stay out here.

Q. Did you grow up looking up to K.J. Choi?

K.H. LEE: When I was growing up, he was on the PGA TOUR and kind of a legendary figure, almost out of reach. Mystical figure. So he's somebody, definitely, we looked up to. All the Korean players. And he's opened the door for us to be here.

Q. Is this week one of the first times you've gotten to know him, or have you gotten to know him in the past? What's your relationship like?

K.H. LEE: So as soon as I got to the PGA TOUR, K.J. was on the TOUR, so he definitely kind of took all of us under his wing and became, you know, a big brother figure, so to speak. And so he's had a really good impact. And so, yeah, I've had a previous relationship prior to coming here.

Q. Sorry if this has been asked already. Adam Scott said a couple weeks ago you played insanely well here, won all the matches and the games. I'm curious if you could describe that performance and why you think this golf course is such a good fit for your game.

K.H. LEE: So I played the Wells Fargo Championship for the first time maybe three years ago. And the course, because of my ball flight, turning it over a little bit right to left, the tee shots kind of suit my eye. It's a good golf course, you know, aesthetically for me off the tee.

Q. What did you shoot a couple weeks ago that everyone was talking about?

K.H. LEE: So I think I shot 10 under par when we played four-ball.

Q. Did you win any money on that?

K.H. LEE: Yes, and I got a trophy.

Q. Do you have a memory of what advice that K.J. has given you in the past that you always remember?

K.H. LEE: So, you know, I'm obviously not old, but there are players, a lot of players now younger than me. But I remember K.J. telling me, you know, you still have a lot of years ahead of you. So just, you know, really think about the long-term, put in the hard work, and do your thing and good things will happen.

Q. K.H., there was a moment a few years ago, brought up again, speaking about a year ago, with the number 1 sexy golfer. Who is the number 1 sexy golfer on your team?

K.H. LEE: Should I say me? I hope so. Adam Scott. We'll go there. Adam is very sexy. And then Camilo is sexy too. So top 10, me?

Q. You're top 10, not top 5?

K.H. LEE: Close.

Q. Four quick questions. On your team, who eats the most?

K.H. LEE: Probably me or Tom Kim.

Q. You have to choose one. Who would you say?

K.H. LEE: Tom.

Q. Who is more likely to cry if the international team wins?

K.H. LEE: Tom too.

Q. Who has most team spirit?

K.H. LEE: We all.

Q. And who from the international team gives the best advice?

K.H. LEE: Trevor and then Adam Scott. A lot of guys.

Q. And if you would have to say, in an eating competition, between you and Tom, who would win?

K.H. LEE: Now, no chance. But when I back to 21, close.

Q. If there were ever a PGA TOUR/LIV golf team event, would you play in that?

K.H. LEE: I mean, I think, for me, it's, you know, I feel like wouldn't it be better to, you know, work with each other? So that's all I'll say.

Q. Do you know the game hide-and-seek?

K.H. LEE: Yes.

Q. Okay. Cool. Who on the international team, if you played as a team, who would win?

K.H. LEE: Wow. Probably me or Tom.

Q. What makes you the best?

K.H. LEE: Because I'm little and sleek for easy hiding.

Q. Cam Davis said the same thing about himself. Awesome. Thank you.