THE LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

January 25, 2024

Ruoning Yin

Bradenton Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, I'm here with Ronni after her first round at the LPGA Drive On Championship. Can you walk me through your round; bogey-free 67.

RUONING YIN: I mean, my round is pretty solid and it's always good to have a bogey-free round as an opening round.

I had a really hard front nine and just made a couple long putts, but on the back nine I just I think the -- just getting windy and the win position is a little bit difficult.

But I think I still gave myself couple chances, but just couldn't -- the putts couldn't drop.

Overall, I think the round is pretty solid.

Q. Were there any holes out there where you made some clutch pars, where you were kind of almost making a bogey or it was a pretty solid day out there? Any that you can remember.

RUONING YIN: Yeah, I have to say I'm very proud of myself because I made a birdie on 7, because the pin just difficult. I just hit a little left, but still on the green. Probably like 40-feet putt.

Before the putt I was a little bit stressed because it's a hard putt and basically if you're post the hole it's not going to stop. Dave told me, you see the line; just hit it good speed and commit to it, and, yeah, I made it. (Laughing.)

Q. We love to hear that. I think it was hole 13 if I remember. You were in the shell on the right-hand side and got up and down from there to save par. How big was that to keep the momentum going for you?

RUONING YIN: I think I've been practice my wedge distance control in the off-season, and that third shot, it's kind of -- me and my caddie, we call it magic number, so that third shot is right on my magic number. I hit a really comfortable shot and made a good putt, too.

Q. When you're playing with someone like Nelly who's also going low, how much do you feed off each other in a round like that?

RUONING YIN: It's always fun to play with Nelly and Megan, and just we're just having fun, and at the same time we just keep competitive.

Q. Does it help when you have a group playing well together?

RUONING YIN: Yeah, obviously Nelly just go crazy on the front nine. I was like, woo. Tap-in eagle on No. 8. Okay, I got to catch up. That definitely is gonna help me play better.

Q. What did you think of her shot -- trying to remember; it was on the back nine -- but she was in trouble and was able to get it on the green and save par. She was in the left shell area by the bush and the trees. I think it was 16.

RUONING YIN: 16, yeah, 16. But I couldn't -- I didn't pay attention to her ball position, but obviously good save.

Q. When there is a large crowd because she's from Bradenton and playing, does that boost you a little bit too when there is a lot of people watching and following you guys around?

RUONING YIN: Oh, yeah. We definitely have a lot of fans today. I think I just focus on my game and didn't notice anything off the course.

Q. What so challenging about this golf course?

RUONING YIN: Windy. The condition and it's really windy today and the green speed and pin position is big one. I think, yeah, those are big.

Q. How tough was it to get the green speed down on the putts, to get the speed of the putts down? How difficult was it with how the setup was?

RUONING YIN: I think today's speed, it's a little bit slower than the practice round. Practice round were super quick.

Today I think they tried to slow down a little bit, which is going to help. But I think overall, the course is good, in good condition.

Q. Is there any golf course of this -- that we play on tour, that you play yourself, that reminds you of Bradenton Country Club? I know it's hard to practice on those undulating greens if you don't really have a venue to practice on. What other courses does it remind you of, if there is any?

RUONING YIN: I don't think so. I think this course is pretty unique, yeah.

Q. You practice at Four Seasons. Is there any benefit from playing a similar style golf course?

RUONING YIN: Four Seasons, I would say the same thing, it's the type of grass. It's the same as Four Seasons, but Four Seasons -- Orlando is not that windy. The green is not very hilly there. I think it's quite different.

Q. One last question from me: I was just going to ask how your off-season was?

RUONING YIN: Kind of short. I was hoping I can get seven to -- six to seven weeks off, but I only have five. Still had a good time in Orlando, just hang out with friend and watch a lot of shows.

Q. What shows were you watching?

RUONING YIN: Korean drama mostly.

Q. Anything else fun you did?

RUONING YIN: Oh, I went to Tampa. I went to Busch Garden with my friend before Christmas. It was fun.

Q. You a fan of roller coasters?

RUONING YIN: Big fan.

Q. What was your favorite there? A lot of good ones.

RUONING YIN: Just I couldn't remember the name but it's the one you just -- you get in and there is a big one. That's the one.