THE ASCENDANT LPGA BENEFITING VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA

September 29, 2022

Xiyu Lin

Golf Clubs at The Tribute

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Xiyu Lin after her first round here in Texas. Sort of take me through your round. What were some of the challenges there? But big eagle on 17. Tell me about that first.

XIYU LIN: Yeah, the eagle was great on 17. I surprise -- or I didn't play this tournament last year because I play Olympic and I was doing the quarantine, but I came back two years later. I guess also because 2020 we were playing in such cold weather, so I surprisingly found I hit the ball a lot further than before now.

So 17 became definitely reachable for me, so I hit a really good drive and then had a perfect yardages and just really good second shot and then made the putt. It was only like 10-footer, so, yeah, it was good.

Q. That was a highlight of your round for sure. What were some of difficulties though out there?

XIYU LIN: I mean, the fairways are firm. Like 18th hole I barely save par, and also 14. I actually hit two really good drive, especially 14, but it just trickle down. The fairway is super firm so trickle down in the bunker and I couldn't quite get a stand there.

The bunker on the fairways are tough. You really have to made up your mind with your line. I did it pretty good today besides these two holes. I think overall that's the biggest challenge for me.

Q. What are you looking forward to tomorrow being atop the leaderboard, but it's still early?

XIYU LIN: Yeah, like you said, it's still early. This course, it's not easy to hit it close, so you need to roll some putts in. You probably have some tough par save, too.

I guess just be patient and trying to play smart, and when there is chances, holes, you just go for it.

Q. Your game has been pretty good as of late. How have you been staying consistent despite different courses, different challenges each week?

XIYU LIN: Yeah, I mean, this course I definitely -- honestly before the round if you tell me I'm shooting 6-under today I wouldn't believe. I see this course as a very challenging course for my game.

So I just tried to stay positive and try to stay patient and from the first hole I already roll in like a 45-footer, so that was really good start.

I think at this level my game is in a good place, and obviously I'm still trying to chase the first win, so I just going to keep trying and keep pushing myself.

Q. You said that was a 45-footer for birdie on the first hole?

XIYU LIN: Yeah.

Q. Wow. That is impressive. I love that. Were you happy to have a little break from the wind today? I know it picked up a little at the end.

XIYU LIN: Yeah, I think we got to -- like we got lucky with the wind. It's actually funny, because when I was warming up here I saw how the people hitting their approach shot on 18 and the ball just couldn't grab the green.

That kind of scares me a little bit, so first couple hole we both like take too much off of the shot, so it was all short. But then we adjust it pretty good.

Yeah, and then last couple hole was tough, but I manage it really well. I'm proud of myself.