LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

March 25, 2023

Hae Ran Ryu

Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Great round out there. Finished with an eagle, bogey-free, and now you're leading the golf tournament. Just tell me about your round out there today.

HAE RAN RYU: I finished yesterday's round with birdie so I figured out a good momentum today, and just finishing with an eagle on last hole showed it was a good round today.

Q. I know you played a few LPGA Tour events before. To be out here in your first start as a rookie, how exciting is it to play that well and now be at the top of the leaderboard?

HAE RAN RYU: I was pretty nervous heading into this week. As I was on the course the nervousness went away, and I hope to show an even better performance tomorrow.

Q. When you get inside the ropes the golf seems like it's the same, but how have you managed the nerves outside the ropes?

HAE RAN RYU: So outside of the golf course I talk a lot with my parents just about not golf stuff.

And then inside the ropes, you know, talking a lot with my caddie. Of course my English isn't perfect, but we're getting there.

Q. Love to hear that. Tell me about your eagle on the last. There were a lot of birdies on the card today, but that eagle was your highlight. Tell me about that eagle.

HAE RAN RYU: Right before my approach In Gee hit a really good shot, so there was a little bit of pressure, but right when I was about to hit the wind wasn't blowing too hard and it landed at the spot that I wanted, so I was able to sink the eagle putt in.

Q. We've had lot of great Korean players over the years, since obviously Se Ri, but especially the last couple years. Playing with In Gee is another great Korean player. How much do they inspire you to play well and challenge you to try to be as great as they are one day?

HAE RAN RYU: So I talked a lot with In Gee while we were playing today because this is my first tournament as a rookie in the States. There were a lot of things to ask, so I asked her.

Q. What have you learned through this whole experience? Like you said, first start as a rookie in the States. What have you learned this week?

HAE RAN RYU: I have a veteran caddie, so when we are strategizing how to play on the course I discuss with him a lot and I actually learn a lot from him.

And, you know, of course we don't know what the situation is going to be like tomorrow, so hoping to learn even more.

Q. Finally, what's your mindset heading into tomorrow? Obviously a lot of golf left to play, but right now you're in the lead and you're going to be in the mix heading into Sunday. In your first start as a rookie. What's the mindset?

HAE RAN RYU: So I played in the final groups a lot when I played in Korea, but first time in the LPGA, so I really do feel like a rookie-rookie. I'll take each and every shot carefully tomorrow.