DIO IMPLANT LA OPEN

March 30, 2023

Megan Khang

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Megan Khang after her first round at the DIO Implant LA Open. Really good round for you today. Take us through some the highlights, maybe that string of birdies there on the back nine.

MEGAN KHANG: Let me think about it. Yeah, no, definitely -- I have to remember my round. It was a long day.

No, it was pretty solid. I mean, a little slow start. Always happy to get par out of the gate.

Then obviously on the back nine you kind of get jammed with two par-3s, one being a little longer and a little harder. It didn't help that there was a little wait on the tee box.

Hit a really good shot after the long wait, and then wasn't able to make it but bounced right back by hitting a couple solid shots followed up with two par-5s and a shorter par-4.

Happy to capitalize on these holes.

Q. I know you played well last week, so how are just feeling about your game this week in general and what's been the best part about your game?

MEGAN KHANG: I mean, every week is different. Coming off last week may not have seemed like I played super well with the winning score being like 20-under. I joke with Jack, 11-under is typically pretty good every other week out here, but just taking a lot of positives out of that.

Had a rough round the second day but managed to bring it back to 2-under for the day. So taking positive notes from each round and just reminding myself, hey, this is the start of the season. There is no need to put so much pressure on myself.

Q. What were some of the positive notes from today's round?

MEGAN KHANG: Definitely, I mean, compared to last year the greens are a lot softer so the ball striking was really well and distance control, was able to do a lot of that.

And just kind of wanting to carry that into the rest of the week.

Q. How do you plan to manage when things dry up a little bit, which hopefully they do?

MEGAN KHANG: Hopefully they do. You know, I think that's the challenge with a course like this. It is pretty undulated, and being poana greens it's going to be a challenge.

But I kind of look at it as a challenge for everyone and just got to embrace it.

Q. Was there anything you worked on in your game over the off-season?

MEGAN KHANG: I mean, my dad is my coach and I see him nearly every day in the off-season. I mean, there is not a day that we're not working on something.

But with him, he's really particular on keeping the swing kind of tight and compact and reliable where it's something that I can always lean back on and not have to think too much when it comes to pressure situations.

And, you know, just kind of keeping the move nice and simple and trusting myself and just let ting it go and have a free mind.

Q. You mentioned having the perspective of 11-under being a good week. How hard is it to balance that versus chasing your first victory and trying to capitalize on the opportunities when they present themselves?

MEGAN KHANG: Definitely everyone says the first one is the hardest. Tell you what, like it's definitely tough. I want to get that first one and hopefully it won't be the last, but I'm trying to just put my best game out there, and with everything else, if I do the best I can, hopefully it's enough.

If not, there is the next week that we can go and try again. So that's kind of the mentality I want to take. Being my eighth year on tour I think not putting the pressure on myself is definitely going to help me free it up a lot.

Q. Does it almost feel like a weight on your shoulders?

MEGAN KHANG: You know, I've come pretty close here and there. You know, I tell myself like the more I give myself chances and opportunities the easier -- quote/unquote -- easier it's going to get in those situations and trying to get my foot through the door.

I wouldn't say a weight, but I know I'm capable of doing it and it's just a matter of time.

Q. I remember last week you were in the lead after the first round or up near the top. That's the same way today. What did you learn about last week that you hope to carry on and maybe have a different result this week?

MEGAN KHANG: You know, I mean, every week is different, like I said. Every day is different. So just kind of as much as I would love to say do the same mentality today, I'm just going to try to get a good night's rest and focus on the task at hand and not think too far ahead.

You know, have my dad in the back of my mind telling me to just do what I can and not worry about anything else.