DIO IMPLANT LA OPEN

April 1, 2023

Ruoning Yin

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Ruoning, holding the first 54 hole lead of your LPGA Tour career in only the your second year. How are you feeling after this moving day?

RUONING YIN: Feels pretty good actually, but I was a little struggling with my putting on the front nine. After 8, which I made a bogey with a three-putt, I just told myself and I told my caddie, I said, we just got to trust the line and putt it. We'll make some putts.

Yeah.

Q. I was going to say, so in the beginning were there any nerves knowing that you were close to the top of the leaderboard?

RUONING YIN: I would say a little bit. A little bit nervous. Also Hyo Joo make I think -- she almost one-putt on every hole. Yeah, I was a little shocked.

Q. You have the two birdies. What did you say to yourself after telling yourself to trust the line? What did you do for those birdies on your back nine?

RUONING YIN: I think on 12 I just hit a super good approach shot. I got I think 176 left and I just hit a low 5 and it worked pretty well. I got maybe six feet left and just putted.

Also, 13 hole got 167 with my six, and I actually chunked it a little bit but ended up well.

And on par-5, I think it's 15 --

Q. 14.

RUONING YIN: 14, okay. 14 I get really close after my second shot and just make an up and down there, yeah.

Q. Were you looking at leaderboards throughout the day at all?

RUONING YIN: Not really. I just want to play my game.

Q. So how aware were you of where you were during the round? Were you aware that at one point you were 3-down, or was it just basically you were taking care of your own business and that was it?

RUONING YIN: I mean, after 9 I know I was 3-down -- no, after 8 I know I was 3-down. I know I can make birdie on this course so I need to be patient and make the putt here.

Q. How comfortable will you be tonight? Will you sleep well? Do you think you'll be pretty nervous tonight and then going into tomorrow as you start the round?

RUONING YIN: I don't think so.

Q. No?

RUONING YIN: Probably going to eat some good food and sleep and wake up, play my game tomorrow.

Q. Will you do anything in the morning? What will you do prior to coming to the course? Anything special or just the normal routine?

RUONING YIN: Just normal routine: wake up naturally and maybe do some workout and come to the course. Yeah.

Q. Conditions today, we've heard from a couple players there was a lot more mud on the balls because you were playing it down. How much did that affect you during the round?

RUONING YIN: Not much I think. Yeah, but I think on 17 my ball went right and just between two bunkers, and I saw the ball maybe plug a little bit and I told my caddie. He said no.

After my chip shot I just saw the hole there, so that probably the worst part today.

Q. You have experience winning on a professional level when you were quite a few years younger than you are now. As Kay asked on the Golf Channel, what will you draw from heading into tomorrow's final round in the last group?

RUONING YIN: Like I said, just play my game. I know I can make birdie. Just be patient. Yeah, that's my thoughts.

Q. When you were in the final groups on the CLPGA, were you nervous?

RUONING YIN: Not at all.

Q. Are you one that embraces the nerves or do you tend not to get nervous often?

RUONING YIN: Maybe get nervous on the first hole tee shot, but after that just pretty normal.

Q. When does it get normal for you?

RUONING YIN: I'm sorry?

Q. When does to get normal? You say you feel it on the first tee shot. When do you feel you get more comfortable with it?

RUONING YIN: After the tee shot. Just after the tee shot.

Q. So tomorrow is a big day for you. What would it mean for you to come away with a victory?

RUONING YIN: That means a lot, and not just for me, but also China Golf. I think, yeah, it's going to be a big day.

Q. When you were coming off 18 and we were coming up here, you talked about how your dad is following you this year over the last couple events. What does it mean to have him see you play this well?

RUONING YIN: I mean, I think he usually talk too much, but I'm just getting used to it. Last year the first half year he is not here and I feel a little bit weird when he's not around. But not talking that much. Yeah.

Q. What's nice for you, because of the rise of good performances, is even making the International Crown team. Are big moments like that in the back of your head Australia go into final rounds like tomorrow?

RUONING YIN: I mean, for International Crown I think it's a great honor to represent your own country to play the match like that, so it's going to be fun I think.