FREED GROUP WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN

August 1, 2023

Ayaka Furue

Dundonald Links

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome back to the FreeD Group Women's Scottish Open presented by Trust Golf. How does it feel to be back in the place where you won your first LPGA Tour event?

AYAKA FURUE: I'm very happy to be back here and very excited to be playing this week.

THE MODERATOR: When you think of last year, I think everyone thinks of the final round 62. What do you remember most are from that final day?

AYAKA FURUE: I think my memory is when I got the six consecutive birdies.

THE MODERATOR: Since that day, it's been a year since, of course, that day. What have you learned about being a winner on tour?

AYAKA FURUE: I think it was my rookie year, so that was very important for me, and that made gave me big confidence to play till today.

THE MODERATOR: A lot of people come on to the LPGA Tour, wanting to win. Did it feel like a relief when you had it and you were able to earn that first victory here.

AYAKA FURUE: Yes, I felt very relieved to get is this win.

THE MODERATOR: Since that win, you've put up some impressive performances, including this year, we saw you at the Match Play. We have seen a couple of top 10 finishes. How would you assess your 2023 season.

AYAKA FURUE: The second year for me is very -- I have learned a lot of things during the Tour, like travelling around, and how to play every week, and my English. I'm very much enjoying the Tour.

THE MODERATOR: Being back here at Dundonald Links, what is it like being back and what are you looking forward to being back out on this course.

AYAKA FURUE: I'm only trying to be a good friend with the wind on this course and enjoy my golf this week.

Q. This is not an easy golf course. Can you actually believe that you shot 62 around this golf course last year?

AYAKA FURUE: By playing the practise round today, I really realised what the 10-under is a very, very great score for me to play on this course.

Q. And was there a shot in that 62 that you particularly remember from the 62 last year?

AYAKA FURUE: I remember when I hit the third shot on the 18th hole, I think that was a special shot for me.

Q. And how is the course this year compared to last year? Are there any changes or are there shots that are tougher or similar?

AYAKA FURUE: I think it's from the rain, I feel the ground is a little more softer than last year.

Q. Have you played all 18 holes?

AYAKA FURUE: Yeah.

Q. And did you birdie a lot, as many times as last time?

AYAKA FURUE: I wasn't focusing on the birdies today. I was just focusing on my shots, so I don't know how many birdies I was having today.

Q. And were you thinking a lot about last year, as well?

AYAKA FURUE: I was very concentrated on this year's golf course.

Q. And are you staying on site?

AYAKA FURUE: An Airbnb. Same place at last year's time.

Q. Oh, same place as last year?

AYAKA FURUE: Near the same place, yeah.

Q. You were the first-ever Japanese winner in Scotland last year. How has it felt for you to be the first Japanese player to be a Scottish champion?

AYAKA FURUE: I'm very happy to be able to make history; that a Japanese player could win in this place.

Q. Japanese value their golf in Scotland as being the best. Was it more special going home with a win from Scotland than it would be from maybe the LPGA in America, but to have an LPGA event in Scotland? At home, did they value it maybe a little bit more?

AYAKA FURUE: When I went back to Japan, all the Japanese fans, they already know the bunkers and the course is very difficult. So they were very happy that I was able to win in that condition, and everybody said great job, great job.

THE MODERATOR: One more.

This one last year was also very special for your caddie, who is Scottish. What's it like for him, also, returning to this event?

AYAKA FURUE: He was very, very happy that he was able to win here. He had a couple of wins, but this place is very special for him.

THE MODERATOR: All right. I think that will be it for us. Thank you very much.