U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

July 4, 2023

Minjee Lee

Pebble Beach Golf Links

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Our defending champion Minjee Lee. Thinking back to just over a year ago, what's the memory that sticks out from Pine Needles?

MINJEE LEE: I think just that walk down 18. It was actually really quite quiet for me walking down the 18th fairway on to the green. Everything just kind of went quiet for me, and I could only hear my heartbeat. It was just really cool to see all the people down on the fairway and around the green, so it was cool.

Q. You're one of the few champions we've seen since last night. Can you talk a little bit about the reunion of champions?

MINJEE LEE: It was so incredible, just to be among that group of ladies. Just so much brilliance and honor there. They were all really, really cool. All the stories that they had, they shared a lot of different experiences, cool experiences.

We were talking about the prize purses throughout the years, and it was just -- put so much perspective on me. It was just really amazing that Webby was also there, and it was cool.

Q. You both won at Pine Needles and she reminded you of another stat she holds.

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, she was the last back-to-back winner and it was an Aussie, so she said the next one has to be an Aussie, too. A little bit of added pressure, but it was pretty cool for her to say that to me.

Q. You played nine holes yesterday; talk about the course here at Pebble Beach and what stuck out to you.

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, I played the back nine, and it was still quite spectacular even though I didn't have much of the view, but I'm going to play the front nine today and I think it's much more scenic. But I think the course itself is in really great condition. The rough is very lush. The fairways and greens are also in great condition.

I'm really looking forward to how the USGA sets up the course for the tournament.

Q. There's a lot of talk about how small the greens are. Did that kind of surprise you? Talk about how important your second shots are going to be here.

MINJEE LEE: Didn't surprise me, but I do love it that the greens are small. Obviously it's a ball striker's -- I think the ball-striking is going to be really important, especially tee to green. The par-3s are all very strong, so I think they'll be quite a good challenge and a good test.

But I think overall the course is going to be a really great test for all of us. There's a mix of really great holes, some longer holes, shorter holes. I think if the wind gets up, it will be quite tough.