COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

May 13, 2023

Jin Young Ko

Upper Montclair Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. I'm here with Jin Young Ko. Jin Young, can you walk us through your round today, some of the ups and downs you had?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yes. It's really tough to play today. I don't know why, but physically it's really getting weak I think.

But I did strong finish 18 hole and I got birdie. I know we had -- I played like lots of up and down today, but, yeah, still even par.

Yeah, just 4-shot behind Minjee. I know she's good player, but I think I have chance to win for tomorrow if I really play well, so I will focus myself and I need some good rest tonight.

Q. Absolutely. And then two-time winner here. How has that helped your comfort level this week?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yeah, I mean, it's always honor to be here because the LPGA Founders, they make this tour, so I really appreciate it. If they wouldn't be there, we wouldn't be here, too, so I really appreciate it.

And, yeah, two years ago I took a picture with one the Founders but she passed away last year, so I really shock and I really miss her.

And, well, after the 18 usually we always handshake like over five or six grandmas, but like this year not many, so I feel really sad. Yeah.

Q. What do you think was the hardest part about this round today and how will you take that into account to bounce back tomorrow?

JIN YOUNG KO: Well, tee times was really late, so was tough to spend time before the tee off because I woke up at 8:00. Still have seven hours before the tee off.

So it was hard to spend my time. And, yeah, I had some meditate, but still six hours to go. (Laughter.)

So it was one the hardest part to play today.

Q. When you have that much time, is it harder to get into that headspace to prepare for your round?

JIN YOUNG KO: I think so. Well, usually my swing speed going to be more higher than like morning tee times, but I couldn't like -- I couldn't speed up from my club head. I need more rest.

Q. I'll ask you one last question: With that birdie on 18, how are you looking to carry that into tomorrow?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yeah, was great birdie. I waited long time but finally I made it.

Yeah, hopefully the birdie makes me more like hyper patient to me. Yeah, one more day to go.