U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

July 6, 2023

Kelly Xu

Pebble Beach Golf Links

Flash Interview

Q. We're here with Kelley Xu, 5-over 77. Can you talk us through your round today?

KELLY XU: Yeah, first tee time, really fun hitting that opening shot. Definitely so many nerves today. First pro event for me. It was a great experience. I had so much fun with my caddie and had a little -- it's such a tough setup, such a tough course. Had kind of a tough time today, but ready to go low tomorrow.

Q. You talked about it a little bit. How special was that being in the first group hitting the first tee ball?

KELLY XU: Oh, my gosh, just unreal. It's genuinely so special, especially that it's at Pebble and it's the first time the women get to play here, and it was just a magical feeling.

Q. Elaborate on that a little; did the history of the moment strike you? Did it go through your head?

KELLY XU: Absolutely. Pebble is just such a historic venue. I honestly -- it was just the combination of that fact and the fact -- coupled with the fact that it was my first pro event.

I almost started crying on the first tee. It was just amazing. I don't even have words to describe it.

Q. It was cold in the morning here --

KELLY XU: Yeah.

Q. How did the course play for you?

KELLY XU: It was definitely really tough. The rough is really thick. You've really got to make sure you hit the fairways.

Didn't even get to a lot of greens today because the pins were a little bit tucked. It was definitely a challenge, but it was so much fun.

Q. Now you have a later start tomorrow. That gives you more time to think. What are you going to focus on?

KELLY XU: Probably head to the range right now and focus on my shot dispersion, getting the speed of these greens down, and getting a little more sleep than last night.

Q. Following that first tee shot, do you allow yourself to calm down at all out there, or does being at Pebble Beach at the U.S. Open kind of keep you hyped the whole time?

KELLY XU: Absolutely. I mean, I could be having a bad hole but I look to my right and the ocean is right there and I have my assistant coach on my bag, so just I can't stop having fun.