HONDA LPGA THAILAND

February 22, 2024

Peiyun Chien

Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course

Quick Quotes

Q. Incredible first day here. Was a 64 in mind for you as you stepped up to the first tee today?

PEIYUN CHIEN: No. I just a little bit set up in my -- when I play on the range so my ball went straight, so I feel today my iron is really good.

If I can take the chance and make every putt I think I can like 68 is a good score to me.

Q. Being table take advantage of the par-5s today was super key for you. An eagle, number of birdies. Walk me through the eagle and how much did that help your round kind of stay present?

PEIYUN CHIEN: So my eagle is like last three hole. The shot is my comforting shot. Play a little high fade. It really happen, so I just really commit the shot and tried to compete every time I play the feeling, and I made it. It's really perfect. Just on the green. Little chip, roll to the -- close to the hole and it's like a three-feet putt.

I really see the line and this course a lot of grain, so you have to really care about the grain.

Q. Do you feel like this is probably one of the best rounds of golf you've played in a little bit, or how have you been able after your 2023 to carry over the way you've been playing?

PEIYUN CHIEN: Actually in my first and second year in LPGA I didn't think a lot. I just play and I do really well. I have a lot of 64 in the (indiscernible) season, but if you keep playing you think a lot like have to do something special.

Like I like to change putter, change iron, but I learn how important you have to keep it. And the time we make it, not just change all the time. So I do really keep my iron and my putter, everything, and it works.

Q. So you really stayed consistent with your equipment and the way that you practiced and everything?

PEIYUN CHIEN: Yes.

Q. Do you think that's a really big key to the success you had last year?

PEIYUN CHIEN: Right. I didn't do like very special thing like change swing or some special loft shot. Just consistent. Second shot is very important.

Q. What do you like most about a course like this and how do you think it's really suited your game on a day like today?

PEIYUN CHIEN: My driver is pretty consistent today and my second shot. I can see the shot very well and I know the ball -- when it's going to start or not, so I do really see the vision, the shots.

Q. Yeah.

PEIYUN CHIEN: I like the course because I just feel the green is similar in Taiwan so I read better.

Q. I know the Drive On Championship you had to withdraw. How do you rebound after that week?

PEIYUN CHIEN: Because I have injury. I take an x-ray. I really need to work out with my core so I -- now I do every day, and last week in Saudi -- actually I tried a new iron, but it doesn't work so I used Mizuno, my old iron, win couple time and had a lot of tough fight. Why I change it?

In the very beginning, the season starts, I should learn just keep the same putter, same irons, everything is the same. Just trust myself. I do really trust my read today. I just trust my read and putted.

Q. What are you taking away from today's round and what do you hope to continue in round two?

PEIYUN CHIEN: Actually couple shot I didn't commit my second shot. I can do better tomorrow. I know the green better. I think I can get closer every green tomorrow.

Q. What does it mean to be leading after the first round here?

PEIYUN CHIEN: You know, this course is very -- I think it's very easy to shot the good score. Everything can happen. I just need to play every shot I can do and play best -- every shot best.

Q. On the seventh hole, how far was your second shot? What was the distance?

PEIYUN CHIEN: 215.

Q. Meter or yard?

PEIYUN CHIEN: Yard. It's front.

Q. Right.

PEIYUN CHIEN: 215.

Q. And you hit which club?

PEIYUN CHIEN: 5-wood. The wind is left to right. Sorry, straight down.

Q. Straight?

PEIYUN CHIEN: Yeah. Hit the fade.

Q. And have you played many times on this course?

PEIYUN CHIEN: Twice.

Q. And how do you do on those two occasions?

PEIYUN CHIEN: I'm just doing okay I think because everybody shot very well. I remember couple things. I had eagle on No. 10 and No. 9. I'm very happy. Just keep the good memory.