DIO IMPLANT LA OPEN

March 31, 2023

Nasa Hataoka

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, Nasa, a bogey-free day. Can't complain about that. What was working so well on the second day here at PV?

NASA HATAOKA: I had a solid round today and I hit all fairways, tee shot.

Q. All fairways?

NASA HATAOKA: All fairways.

Q. I know that's a big goal for you. What was the mentality heading into today's round?

NASA HATAOKA: The plan for today was simple: do the same thing I did yesterday, try to focus on my shot, try not to think too much about my shot, and I think that really worked out today.

Q. You talked about how your putting, you felt about your putting yesterday. How did you feel about your putting today?

NASA HATAOKA: To be honest I had a couple putts I could've made. On the last hole it was a challenging line but I was able to putt really well, and then that really helped my game today.

Q. I was going to ask, what were some of those putts that you might've just missed out on or what were some of those par saves that you remember?

NASA HATAOKA: I had a really good par save at 13 from the bunker shot, and on No. 7, par-5, hit the green with two shots, three-putted. That was something a little disappointing for me.

Overall I think I really played well.

Q. Nothing like some memorable shots there. To be able to have three birdies on this front nine, what was working -- the three birdies on your back nine to close out your day, especially the last one, take me through those three birdies specifically.

NASA HATAOKA: I don't really remember all three birdies, but I do remember the last one. It was a long one, so I'm glad I was able to...

Q. How long?

NASA HATAOKA: It's 18 feet.

Q. 18 feet?

NASA HATAOKA: Yep.

Q. Are you starting to feel more comfortable around this course or do you feel like you still have to improve a couple things?

NASA HATAOKA: I have a lot better feelings, image of the golf course compared to the first time I played here, so I think that's really helping my game.

Q. And I have to ask because we talked about it yesterday, but I knew that because you made that final birdie on 18 you got to go to your -- the Japanese restaurant of your choice. So how was dinner last night?

NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, I had sriracha sushi, assorted sashimi, sushi. It was really good. I think that helped my bogey-free round today.