HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 21, 2023

Nasa Hataoka

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

THE MODERATOR: Here with Nasa Hataoka. What were some of the differences between your first nine holes and your last nine holes?

NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, I was dialed in, especially back nine. Front nine I wasn't striking the ball how I wanted to. Bogey came first, but birdie on 9 was something that kind of changed my game today, so happy that I was able to change that.

Q. That birdie on No. 9 set up a flurry of birdies; how comfortable were you feeling out there?

NASA HATAOKA: Thursday, Friday I had birdie first, so I had a good tempo through the days, but today bogey came first. I was kind of struggling with my game a little bit. But No. 9's birdie putt, it was a challenging line. Making that kind of putt, it gives me a boost, so I was really happy to make that one.

Q. What were some more memorable birdies on your back nine? Which ones stick out to you that you are most proud of?

NASA HATAOKA: On the 18th hole with the music.

Q. Did you like the music, or did you set yourself up well?

NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, obviously the music was -- I got some vibe, too, but I was really focused on that line, so I was able to putt really well.

Q. Do you remember the last time you've had that many birdies in nine holes?

NASA HATAOKA: Two years ago, Marathon Classic.

Q. How does it feel to have a back nine like that?

NASA HATAOKA: Whenever I'm playing like that, my ball-striking is always the key, and I was able to do that today. I'm really happy with it.

Q. You've put yourself right in the hunt. Brooke is not running away with it anymore. What is the mindset heading into tomorrow?

NASA HATAOKA: My game plan is just keep on doing what I've been able to do the last three days, so hopefully I can do that again.

Q. Can you walk us through some of the consecutive stretch of birdies you had, especially from Nos. 13 to 16, what that looked like.

NASA HATAOKA: They were all similar lines. It was a left to right line. So I feel like I've been hitting really good those type of lines, so I think that really helped me on those birdie streaks.