DIO IMPLANT LA OPEN

March 28, 2023

Nasa Hataoka

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome inside the virtual media center here at the DIO Implant LA Open. I'm here with the defending champion, Nasa Hataoka.

We were just saying that this is the first time in your career you are defending a title at a different course. How is that for you coming into this week?

NASA HATAOKA: It's something I've never done before. I've played on this golf course before but never in a tournament.

It's a little special feeling, a unique feeling.

Q. You've defended quite a few times. What does it mean to you to defend a championship each time you get to do it?

NASA HATAOKA: Every time I win a tournament and the next year it comes so quick. Then I feel like just one year just passed so quick and the same feeling I have this week, too.

Q. So last year obviously DIO Implant LA Open was at Wilshire. Coming into this week, what are some of the things you remember most about your win last year?

NASA HATAOKA: Definitely I was putting really good last year. I think that really helped me win, so that's something I remember the most.

Q. When you think about last season as a whole, how much do you think that win helped you the rest of the season?

NASA HATAOKA: To be honest, I had few tournaments I was in contention but I wasn't able to win, so that's something -- it would've been better if I had the win.

So the back season was a little -- not the best season I was hoping for.

Q. Obviously this is your first time at Palos Verde Golf Club. I know you've played nine holes so far. Take me through what those nine holes were like and what you're seeing on this golf course.

NASA HATAOKA: Yes, last year I had an opportunity to play this golf course and I played this year, too.

I feel like lots of undulations, it's a hilly course. Fairways are pretty tight. I feel like the greens are the most challenging part.

If you can play well on the green, I think that's the key of playing good this week.

Q. You've won every year out here since 2018 outside of the shortened 2020 season. What do you think has been the key to remain so consistent winning tournaments out here on the LPGA?

NASA HATAOKA: I don't really have like specific keys to win a tournament consistently, but I do have a goal that I want to win every year, at least one.

Recently there has been lots of young, good talents, like Atthaya Thitikul. You know, it's very competitive out here. So it just feels competitive. It gets me more motivated to play better. That really helps me keep grinding.

Q. This is the final event before the International Crown teams are finalized. How do you feel about Team Japan and its race for the final spot going into International Crown in May?

NASA HATAOKA: Yes, so I have played once before in Korea. You know, there is two more young Japanese players, rookies this year, too. I feel like Japan itself is growing and the levels are getting higher. So I'm going to be the oldest on the team, so hopefully I can help the team with my experience.

Q. What kind of responsibility do you feel as the oldest player on that team?

NASA HATAOKA: Representing your country on a golf tournament, it's something very special and unique, so the way I play won't change. The way I play will be the same.

But just try to play my best game as I can do, and hopefully I can make the team proud.

Q. I'll follow up because I figured that Kent would ask about International Crown. You've represented Japan on multiple levels before. To be able to represent them on a professional level in a team competition like this, what does it mean to you to do that?

NASA HATAOKA: You know, golf in Japan, the levels are getting higher and higher, especially the JLPGA tour.

So I think it's a really good opportunity for all of us to represent our country, not just as a Japanese, but as a golfer, you know, to let people know that we're on a really good stage.

Q. Absolutely. I'll also say you talked about taking part in International Crown once before. What's different about the Nasa the first time they were part of International Crown and the Nasa now as we look into International Crown in about a month? Aside from the experience, of course.

NASA HATAOKA: The last time I played International Crown was the second year after my rookie year. It's been five years after that, so even though I am the oldest, I'm still 24, so, you know, I feel like I did have really good experience in the past since I started playing on this tour, so hopefully I can give me team that experience, help with that experience.

Q. Still so young. One more from me. Just going back to the DIO Implant LA Open, what have you been working on the last few weeks as you get ready to defend your title and take on PV and what do you think will be most successful out here?

NASA HATAOKA: After Singapore, I went back to Japan, working on especially on my putting and short game, and I knew around the green this week was one of the keys to play really well, so that's something I've been working on the past couple weeks.

Q. You've talked about the importance of representing Japan. Did you watch the World Baseball Classic and do you draw any inspiration from what they did?

NASA HATAOKA: I've been watching them play from the first pitch. Baseball is one of my favorite sports to watch. I used to do play back when I was little, too, so it's -- out of golf, baseball is probably of the most favorite sport I play or watch. Watching those players like Shohei Ohtani, other really great players representing the country, it really gave me a good motivation to represent the country.

Glad they played really well.

Q. Oh, yeah. Big Shohei fan?

NASA HATAOKA: Yeah.

Q. We are in Angels country. I like that.

THE MODERATOR: I think that will wrap it up for us. Thank you and good luck this week.

NASA HATAOKA: Thank you.