KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 21, 2023

Jin Young Ko

Baltusrol Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: I am pleased to be joined by World No. 1 Jin Young Ko. Welcome back to KPMG Women's PGA Championship. What are your thoughts on being back in this environment and your thoughts on Baltusrol so far?

JIN YOUNG KO: I haven't played this golf course before this week. I heard a lot of players playing after Founders and Mizuho, but I didn't.

I got here last Saturday, and I played Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and today.

The course is really challenge golf course and not easy, but if keeps fairways or greens, I can make a lot of birdies. Focus more from the tee shot and second shot, and greens are really firm and fast. I need to more focus on the golf course.

Q. Over the last couple of years you've had a lot of success in New Jersey in general. Does it feel nice returning to an area that you know so well?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yeah, I think so, because 2021 I had first win in New Jersey. After the 2021, I felt, I like New Jersey. A few weeks ago I had one more win at the Founders.

Now I love to play in New Jersey. This golf course is really hard, so we'll see.

Q. You won at Founders on two separate golf courses but they were very old and they were very similar to what we have here. Is this a style of golf course that you like?

JIN YOUNG KO: I think so, but I don't care. I like to play like this type of golf course because fairways are not wide, narrow, and rough is not easy. I love to play difficult golf courses.

Like a few weeks ago at the Founders.

Q. There was a time not too long ago where rough like this might have bothered you. Do you worry at all about your wrist?

JIN YOUNG KO: Not really. My wrist is getting better than last year, and I worked out every day for my wrist. Yeah, I'm not worried.

Q. You said you've been playing here since Sunday. Were you just playing nine holes each day before the pro-am?

JIN YOUNG KO: Not nine holes. I think six holes on Sunday, just because starting No. 1, and then I can finish 5th and then 18, so six holes to play. Then Monday, nine holes, back nine. Then 18, pro-am, and six holes today, too.

Q. As you play day by day, how much are you learning about this golf course and how comfortable do you feel having played as much as you have?

JIN YOUNG KO: I don't think I find something good on the golf course day by day because I felt more easier day to play was on Sunday because I didn't know the golf course, but right now I know a lot of things on the golf course, right side hazard, left side penalty area. I don't think I get to know the golf course day by day. It's difficult.

Q. You're a player that obviously is used to setting records. You tied a really big record this week for most weeks at World No. 1. You have a chance to beat that record and set the new one next week. What would that mean to you to overtake Lorena Ochoa and overtake that record?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yeah, it's an honor people saying with Lorena and me in same sentence. It makes me happy, but also it makes me humble. It's great to honor, to stand with Lorena.

Q. Playing this golf course so many times, you know the two par-5s, the two finishing holes. Can you talk about your strategy looking ahead to those two holes?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yeah, 17 and 18 is par-5s, so it's great finishing holes. But both holes are not easy.

If tee box moving forward, we can get two on, and we can make birdies. But if not, par is fine.

Q. What is it you like the most about New Jersey?

JIN YOUNG KO: A few weeks ago I found great bagel restaurant. It was the Founders, I went there every morning. I got every bagel every morning, and cream cheese.

Q. There's a big Korean market in this area specifically. Have you had a chance to sample any Korean food, a recommendation that people told you about?

JIN YOUNG KO: Not really. I didn't go to Korean restaurant this week because I cooked every night -- she cooked. My manager cooked. I haven't been Korean restaurant this week, so I don't know.

Q. A lot of players, we've been asking them, in terms of women's golf as a whole right now, who do you think the best player in women's golf is right now?

JIN YOUNG KO: Female?

Q. Yes.

JIN YOUNG KO: Everyone. I can't say one.

Q. What did you know of Baltusrol before you came here? And now having been here, was there any difference between what you had heard about it and now having experienced it?

JIN YOUNG KO: I heard a lot of history at the golf course, but I didn't know like 100 percent what was the history at this golf course because I think before I born, the stories. But this golf course is like pristine. So it's good.

Q. Did you watch any past videos of different championships?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yes.

Q. Which videos did you watch from past rounds here at Baltusrol?

JIN YOUNG KO: Jack Nicklaus. Yeah, that's it.