SONY OPEN IN HAWAII

January 14, 2023

Carl Yuan

Waialae Country Club

Quick Quotes

(in progress)

Q. There was no COVID issue you were concerned about or anything?

CARL YUAN: Not really. We can still come out of the country. There is no problem there.

Q. Obviously there is very few Chinese players on this tour, that have played on this tour. When was this a goal for to you, to get out here?

CARL YUAN: I think always been my goal since I decided to start to play professionally. Trying to be the best I can in my country, in the world.

So, yeah, just started from the beginning I guess.

Q. What was it like when you -- did you get recruited to go to University of Washington?

CARL YUAN: Yeah, I did.

Q. Out of China?

CARL YUAN: No. I played high school here in the States.

Q. Where did you play?

CARL YUAN: I went to school in Orlando area.

Q. Okay. And is that from -- you went to high school from China; is that what you did?

CARL YUAN: Yeah, I came here for four years of high school, yeah, from China, yes.

Q. And how did that come about? Why did you decided to that?

CARL YUAN: Just much better atmosphere and environment to play golf or practice in the States compared to China. Just a little more -- I would say all the systems are a little more developed here, more courses to get on.

So, yeah, if I wanted to pursue a golfing career, I mean, this is where I need to be.

Q. How did you get involved in golf to begin with?

CARL YUAN: My dad started playing a little bit. Takes me out to the golf course once in a while, and, yeah, just start going to range a little bit and started liking it.

Q. Did you have an instructor, a teacher, or did you teach yourself?

CARL YUAN: I had an instructor when I was like ten, and, yeah, I always had an instructor and then came over here and I had instructors as well.

Q. When was it clear to you, at what age, that you were good enough that maybe you needed to come to the States to work on your game?

CARL YUAN: I think it was like -- I came here for like a summer camp, something like that, when I was like 14. I was like, it's fun. Like at that point I did not decide that I was going to play professionally, but I want to be good at this game.

I mean, and get good education here going to university, so, yeah.

Q. The summer camp, where was it at?

CARL YUAN: In Orlando area, Lake Mary.

Q. You said you were 14 at the time?

CARL YUAN: Yes.

Q. So then you get here, play University of Washington, but then you end up going back to the PGA Tour China?

CARL YUAN: Yeah.

Q. Versus going to Latin America or trying to get on the Korn Ferry Tour or the Canadian Tour, you just felt more comfortable going back it PGA Tour China?

CARL YUAN: It was home, it was easy. I only play a couple events and then went through Q-School like three months later and play on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Q. So is it what you thought it would be like playing on the PGA TOUR?

CARL YUAN: Yeah, it's pretty much what I expected. The courses are a little different. Yeah, still come out here, if you play good golf, it takes care of everything.

Q. When do you plan on going back home?

CARL YUAN: Probably -- I'm not sure. Probably later this year hopefully when I'm like in off-season, in the wintertime.

Q. And you're based in?

CARL YUAN: China.

Q. Here?

CARL YUAN: Oh, here, Jacksonville.