THE LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

March 21, 2023

Jennifer Kupcho

Reynolds Lake Oconee

Press Conference

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THE MODERATOR: Okay, welcome to the virtual and in-real-life media center here at the LPGA Drive On Championship. We're with our local club member, Jennifer Kupcho, in Arizona.

First question from me is how excited are you to be back on the tour here in the States and also in your hometown?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, it's awesome to be back in the U.S., but I think to have a tournament not only in Arizona, but also at my home course is pretty cool.

Just being able to sleep in my own bed for the week is something I think everyone out here loves.

Q. Yeah, tell us what kind of advantage you think you have just being able to practice here? How often do you practice here and what are you looking forward to about this week with the familiarity of the course?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, I mean, every off week I come here pretty much; I'm out here all the time.

I think the golf course is definitely set up a lot differently than what I play. Very firm compared to what I'm used to. So I'm still going to have to have adjust. Still kind of thinking about it as a tournament, because it is a different golf course than what I'm used to.

So I might know the places to miss when it's soft, but not necessarily when it's hard. So just kind of adjusting to all of that.

But it's nice to be in a familiar place, familiar town, at home obviously. That's definitely an advantage.

Q. There are a lot of other LPGA members that are also members here. How often do you play with any of those players? Spending a lot of time out here with them?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, I think me and Mina play a lot together. She's out here all the time. Her and Dana and I are pretty much the ones that really live here all the time so we always see each other.

I would say I play mostly with my husband, Mina, and now her husband.

Q. Speaking of Mina and Dana, both just got married right here at Superstition. Dana up the hill and Mina right here. How do you feel about that? How cool is that to see?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, it's super cool. Just to have us all -- I mean, Dana and Henry didn't meet here, but to have Mina and Travis meet here and that's how Jay and I met here was at Superstition, it's definitely a special place to all of us.

Q. Looking at the week ahead with a lot coming up down the line, what are you looking to achieve this week and what are the expectations playing at your home course?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, I mean, obviously be nice to come out and play well in front of the members, in front of my -- I have a lot of people come to go the tournament.

But the last time I played at my home course in Colorado, it was not -- it was a pretty bad disaster, so hopefully that doesn't happen. Just because I feel comfortable with the place, I hope I can actually perform how I want to perform.

Q. What sort of family and support system do you have coming out this week?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: My in-laws and parents are coming out, my brother is coming out. Yeah, I have a bunch of people coming out.

Q. How cool is it to have people there supporting you? Will they walk the whole course with you?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, I'm sure they will. It's definitely going to be a lot of fun to have everybody out here. It's definitely a special week.

Q. This is also one of the first weeks back in the States and leading up to the Chevron Championship, which you won last year. How do these weeks feel leading up to that place where you had your first win, first major victory?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, I mean, it feels great. I think we're kind of getting into the swing the season. I didn't have a great start the last three weeks really just because I took a solid off-season, and I knew that's how was it going to be.

But kind of coming into these next two weeks I was more -- I feel more prepared, so hopefully I can perform well going into Chevron. Obviously Chevron is not at the same golf course, so I think it's going to play a lot different. For sure with the type of grass.

But I think just in general being in Houston versus California, it's a major change.

Q. Speaking of which, how excited are you to have a new course to play for Chevron? What are you looking forward to play in in The Woodlands?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, I think Chevron will do a really great job. I know we all loved Mission Hills and the history that was there, but sounds like Chevron is ready to step up and really elevate the women's game through their tournament, so is I'm excited to see where it goes to the future.

THE MODERATOR: Amazing. That's all we have for you.

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Thank you.