DIO IMPLANT LA OPEN

March 29, 2023

Lilia Vu

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome inside the virtual media center they're at the DIO Implant LA Open. I'm pleased to be joined by the first first-time winner of the season, Lilia Vu, who is back in her hometown. What's it like to be back in the area you grew up in?

LILIA VU: It's very nostalgic. I played a lot of college golf here and I'm able to stay at home this week, so it's pretty nice.

Q. You just said a UCLA alum yourself. You are one of many USC and UCLA alums out here playing PV. What's it like for you to be able to return as an LPGA Tour champion?

LILIA VU: I mean, it wasn't on the schedule before so I was super excited when PV got put into the schedule.

Yeah, it's really fun to be back here.

Q. You talked about being able to stay at home. How much is that a nice mentality or a change in mindset for you as you get ready for this week's tournament?

LILIA VU: It's just peace of mind getting to know that I get to go home, back to my own bed and just the comfort of your own home, you know.

Q. Absolutely. I'm not anywhere near here, but I definitely agree. This is one of the first times you've been able to come back to this area playing since your win. Now that you had a few weeks to reflect on what that week was like in Thailand, what has that been like to think about what that win was for you in your career?

LILIA VU: That win was huge for me. I felt like I put a lot of pressure on myself last year to win, and I was really disappointed in myself at the Tour Championship because I didn't walk away with a win last season.

My goal this off-season was just to get better at everything, keep doing what I'm doing. Usually when I have fun on the golf course that's when I play my best, so if I just maintain that goal each time then it should work out pretty well.

Q. When you got to come back last wee at the Drive On Championship for the first win since the Asia swing, what was that like to get that congratulations and see a little bit more attention put on yourself?

LILIA VU: It was really fun. Actually the first two days I had some fans scream my name like, Vu on the tee, and that was a different thing for me. It almost sounded like they were booing me but they weren't. It was really fun.

Q. What's does that confidence do for you as we get into the swing of events here on the LPGA Tour?

LILIA VU: I think just a lot of weight off my shoulders. Just go out there and have fun. I kind of feel the same, like it's the same goal still: just go out there and have fun and do my best, and if I win, I win.

Q. That win as well as your outstanding play from last year has really catapulted you up the rankings, which means this is the final week to earn a spot on that International Crown team. What does that mean to know you're up in the rankings and could represent the United States?

LILIA VU: It means a lot. At the beginning of this year I didn't really think that I was able to make it into the International Crown. I remember I was playing another tournament before Thailand and I was talking to Gemma Dryburgh and I was like, if I win, hopefully I'll make it into the International Crown, but I have to do really well the next couple weeks.

She was like, just go and win, and I was like, okay.

Q. That certainly helps.

LILIA VU: Yeah.

Q. To have that kind of team atmosphere representing your country on other level, what does that mean for you personally?

LILIA VU: Means a lot. The International Crown only takes four of the best players from each country and it's eight of the best countries together and their four best players, so it means a lot that I'm competing among the best players.

Q. I want to talk about PV and Palos Verde. Have you been able to get out there and do some practice rounds? I know this morning for the pro-am it's a little raining and I know you're going on the later, but what have you seen from this course and what can you expect as some of the challenges?

LILIA VU: I think it's a different setup from what I'm used to in college golf, a little firmer and faster. Definitely going to be challenging out here.

It's always challenging, but it's super hilly, which I definitely felt that yesterday and I only played nine. Be fun this week.

Q. Definitely stamina. Heard that from a lot of the people.

LILIA VU: Yeah.

Q. Can you talk about women's golf and being a wide open sport when it comes to diversity and inclusion?

LILIA VU: Yeah, I feel like on the women's side of golf it's gaining a lot of popularity. Obviously there is a gap between men and women's golf, but I think it's getting significantly better.

It's really nice. You see at every tournament, little girls coming out to watch. To know that we inspire them is a really good feeling.

Q. Talk about mentorship and someone mentoring you, and are you able to do that now at this stage in your career?

LILIA VU: I've had Sandra Palmer as my mentor off and on. I haven't seen her in a while, but she sometimes comes down to my home course, Shady Canyon, and we talk a good bit.

I've not been able to be in the position to mentor younger girls yet, but I would love to be.

Q. And to represent your hometown, what does it mean for you personally?

LILIA VU: I take a lot of pride in my hometown. It's been great. We have this local Fountain Valley golf newspaper, and my neighbors always cut me out a piece and give it to me and leave it in my mailbox. It's been really cute to se the community really support me.

Q. You talk about Sandra Palmer being your mentor, and I don't think we've been able to talk since she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

LILIA VU: Yeah.

Q. Have you been able to speak with her since her induction?

LILIA VU: I haven't seen her. She's usually at Shady Canyon in summer, but she does send me texts and keeps me motivated and sends me really supportive messages.

Q. Did she say anything after your win in Thailand?

LILIA VU: She said she knew it was always going to come and we just had to stay patient. It was really nice to hear it from her.

Q. Now that you've been able to take some time around this course, like you said, it's hilly, it's definitely a test out there, what are you working on as we get into this row of events?

LILIA VU: Definitely taking my time and focusing a lot on recovery and not over practicing after the round. I mean, I definitely don't do that, but just maintaining my energy for sure.

Q. What is it about maintaining your energy? How do you do that on or off the course?

LILIA VU: For me, after the rounds I just think I put so much energy into my round that at the end of the day I just want a quick dinner and I just want to decompress and put on my Normatec boots and then just relax.

I feel like going out to dinner kind of exhausts me sometimes if we have an early turnaround time. So just basically managing my time well. I learned there that Thailand actually. I was so exhausted after the second round. It remember was like the 9th hole and I was telling Cole, my caddie, I need to make it to the 18th hole. I don't know that I can.

It was hot, windy. I think I was just spreading myself thin this week. I'm like, oh, we're in Thailand. Let's go do this, this, and this. I did in-room dining, relaxed, did nothing, and maintained my energy there.

Q. You speak of the importance of maintaining your energy. Knowing that you're - I don't want to say necessarily a hometown event, but close by - will you have having friends and family out and does that had any pressure or any extra energy that you have to exert on a normal week?

LILIA VU: I think it doesn't add any pressure. I think it's fun when people come out to watch. I tend to like a big crowd, and it's even better when it's friends and family.

I'm expecting to see a lot this weekend. And kind of redeem myself. Last year didn't make the cut, so I'm ready for that.

Q. I wasn't going to mention it. Now that you did, what are some things that you can take from your experience last year here to improve going into this week?

LILIA VU: Definitely just better course management and just be in a better mood.

THE MODERATOR: That's all from us. Thank you so much, Lilia. I appreciate it.

LILIA VU: Thank you.