TOTO JAPAN CLASSIC

October 31, 2023

Gemma Dryburgh

Taihelyo Club Minori Course

Press Conference

Q. Okay, hi, Gemma, welcome back to Japan. As the develop your first time defending just tell us how the experience has been so far and what you're most looking forward to this week.

GEMMA DRYBURGH: Yeah, it's been great so far. Just arrived at the course today. Saw my picture a few plays on the credential as well, so pretty special seeing my face on things like that.

First time experiencing defending, so it's going to be pretty fun and excited to see the crowds is probably my main thing. The crowds last year were great, so I'm sure they will be really good this year as well.

Q. Obviously this is a different course that you're defending on. Have you seen the course yet? What are your thoughts on the big differences between the two?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: I just played nine holes today and I'll play in the pro-am tomorrow another nine holes. The grass seems similar to last year.

Other than that, it's a little different. The greens are probably slightly bigger from memory, but the greens are rolling really nicely.

Yeah, it's good to be back, and feel like the surroundings are always very pretty in Japan.

Q. So you played the back nine today?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: Back nine, yes.

Q. One more question: Coming back and defending at a different course, how is that different?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: Yeah, obviously be nice to go back to the same course. Hopefully be back there again. But it's still nice to defend.

It's going to be a different experience playing at a different course. Still going to enjoy it and make the most of it.

Yeah, nice to go back to last year's course sometime soon.

Q. What are some of the biggest memories you have from last year? What are some of the things you distinctly remember about the tournament?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: I remember the final round really, really well. Pretty much every shot. Just with my caddie, he had a few jokes for me during the round, so I said this week that he can just have a few jokes up his sleeve on Sunday again.

But the crowds as well were very memorable. They were big crowds as well so that was an amazing feeling to play in front of those big crowds. They were always so nice to the Scottish people and all of us.

Q. It's been a year since that happened, right? How would you say you changed, grown as a player since your first win?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: I think it's given me a lot of confidence. I think I know I can compete out here and win also. Competing under that pressure, seeing the shots that you can do under that pressure as well, it gives you a lot of confidence.

I think obviously it changed my career immensely. I'm going to all the tournaments this year and to the majors, and that's an amazing feeling to be able to plan your year like that. So that was kind of a life changing moment as I said last year.

Q. Talk about the toilet last year after you won. Has it made it to the State? Have you used it yet?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: So I'm actually still renting a house at the moment, so they're going to wait until I buy a house. I'm going to get one next year and I can actually use the toilet. I'm very excited. (Smiling.)

Q. When did you arrive in Japan?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: Yesterday morning.

Q. From Malaysia?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: Malaysia, yeah.

Q. And you have no jet lag?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: No, it was just an hour ten difference. We flew overnight so a little bit tired yesterday, but all good.

Q. So you finished sixth last week?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: Uh-huh.

Q. How is your golf condition?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: Yeah, feeling very confident with my game. Obviously coming into this week it was nice to play well last week and get a top 10.

So, yeah, feeling very confident with how I'm hitting it.

Q. So you just arrived in Japan. Anything in particular you're looking forward to doing in Japan other than golf?

GEMMA DRYBURGH: Eating the great food. I had some ramen last night and it was very good, and I want to have some sushi as well.

Thank you.