KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 24, 2023

Yuka Saso

Baltusrol Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with Yuka Saso. A 69 today. Just overall what was moving day like for you?

YUKA SASO: I was a little bit nervous with the weather this morning, but glad it turned out really good. I thought there would be lightning, but the sun came out.

So it was a good day, and I was pretty -- my shots were pretty consistent, and I holed some putts. So, yeah, I think it was a really good day.

THE MODERATOR: Some highs. A few lows, but a lot of highs as well. To be able to rebound with the birdies you did after your double, what was working so well on those holes?

YUKA SASO: I think with this golf course and obviously with the course setting and it's a major championship, it's not easy obviously, but I was able to get back my focus on the back nine and hit some good shots. Got myself back in. So yeah, I think I really did a good job today.

Q. You kind of burst onto the scene and got that win two years ago at the U.S. Women's Open at the Olympic Club. Since then you haven't been able to follow that up with another victory. What has been kind of difficult for you in trying to get that second victory since that major win?

YUKA SASO: I think just playing here in LPGA. It's not easy to win a golf tournament, as everyone knows. Players who are here are the world's best. Just trying to find the right time and just keep working on and believe in myself. I just grind it out and just wait for the right time. I think that's the only thing I can do.

Q. There have been some ups and downs in the past two years. You know, where were you kind of mentally when you were struggling, and how were you able to kind of turn that around and get an upwards trajectory?

YUKA SASO: Well, there was a time last year that I was struggling, but there was some weeks that I was playing really good.

I think it happens in one season. Our season is very long, and just trying to be patient and trust the process of where I want to be. If you are struggling, it's hard to keep your head up and moving forward, but you know, you just have to push yourself and tell yourself that you deserve to be here and just trust yourself and just wait for the right time. That's the only thing I think I was thinking about when I was struggling and playing good some weeks.

I think it just tells you that what I was doing when I was struggling is paying off a little bit, so trying to keep doing what I've been doing, and hopefully the result will come.

Q. Can you take us through that stretch 10, 11, 12, that really got you going, some of the shots were you were hitting there?

YUKA SASO: So the wind changed today from northeast to mostly south today, so on 10 it was helping wind. I hit a driver. I had probably, like, 100 yards in and wedge to probably 10 feet.

Then 11 hit a good tee shot, hit a good second shot for about 8 feet I think and holed that.

12 I hit a good shot again to about 9 feet.

Q. What was your iron there?

YUKA SASO: 7. 11 and 12 I hit 7.

Q. Was there something you found in your game at Liberty National that really encouraged you and has been a spark?

YUKA SASO: Actually, I don't know (laughing). I had two weeks off after Liberty. I was supposed to play at ShopRite, but I had to withdraw. I wasn't feeling well, and I didn't pull a club for more than a week after Liberty National.

I couldn't really tell. Sometimes if you have a week off without holding a club, even if you find something in Liberty, it feels different now.

Q. Was it a relief seeing the nice result there?

YUKA SASO: At Liberty National I was working on my wedges and just trying to get the back swing more consistent with the distance shots. I think that helped that week.

But, you know, after having a week off, obviously this week I had to kind of redo it again and try to feel it. Yeah, I was just glad that I was able to come in here more healthy than after the Liberty National.

Yeah, I think having that finish after Liberty helped me this week to I think -- how do you call it -- have a little bit of confidence with wedge shots, yeah.