LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY HOAKALEI

April 12, 2023

Haylee Harford

Hoakalei Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Haylee Harford. That's an impressive round of golf to shoot 3-under in these conditions. Steady Eddie out there today. Walk me through your round.

HAYLEE HARFORD: Thanks. Yeah, coming into the round we were totally prepared for the tough conditions. We knew how windy it could get out here. I think last year my second round just took us by storm with the wind. We were like, you know, not really managing ourself well.

So coming out, that was our main priority, was hitting fairways and greens and seeing what happens.

To end with only 25 putts this round, my putter was definitely hot. Saved some par putts and had a couple birdies roll in, too, unexpectedly, which is nice. Just solid.

Q. I know the greens are a little slower obviously with the wind. What did you find on the greens today? I feel like putting in the wind can be tricky. What worked?

HAYLEE HARFORD: It is tricky for sure. I just stuck to my routine and just like -- you know, I did back off a couple times when the wind got a little tricky. I had like a 5-foot par save coming down my last few holes and I took a while because I was like, wind is going one way, break is going the other, so that can be really tricky.

Just stuck to the process. I actually like this speed right now. I feel like I adjusted really quickly this week just playing in a couple practice rounds and the pro-am with my group, just seeing how the breaks were going.

So, yeah.

Q. I know last year wasn't as solid as what you were looking for. You come out this year, played some good golf thus far. What are some of your goals for '23, having the rookie year under the belt and feeling more comfortable out here?

HAYLEE HARFORD: For sure. Playing like my rookie year on Epson Tour and then a rookie year out here I definitely have gone through the learning curves. My boyfriend caddies for me and has been with me throughout it all.

We've just totally taken all the bad experiences and learned from it.

Coming out this year feels like a clean slate. Like you know the courses that you're playing, which helps tremendously. How to navigate your way through the week, where to stay, where to eat. It all makes a huge difference.

So coming out here already knowing the layout of the course is a huge difference for sure.

Q. Got I guess the morning draw today; I know finished early afternoon. Going to be square in the middle of this wind tomorrow. What's the strategy?

HAYLEE HARFORD: Just the same. I know it's going to be tough, it's going to be windy, so just sticking with the same game plan.