HSBC WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

March 2, 2024

Ayaka Furue

Sentosa Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. In third round of the HSBC Women's World Championship, currently in the lead right now. How do you feel about your game and how do you feel about today's round?

AYAKA FURUE: The front nine holes, I had like three birdies, and I just kind of keep my momentum going. So that's really good for me.

Q. There's only one other time in a LPGA event you held the lead going into the fourth round and you tied for third. How excited are you to be in contention for another LPGA win tomorrow?

AYAKA FURUE: I just feel excited to be part of the top of the leaderboard.

Q. So before today, you came in trailing by one stroke. What sort of changed and what mindset do you come into this round?

AYAKA FURUE: I was just thinking about catching up with Celine today and making birdies. I just feel good.

Q. In terms of putting, if you look at the stats you're No. 1 in putting for this tournament. So is there anything special you worked on before this tournament and how do you feel the greens were?

AYAKA FURUE: Nothing special for the tournament but it was really hard to read the green on the first day. But after playing the first day, I kind of maintained my putting and I kept going on.

Q. You are obviously not one of the longest hitters on tour and your accuracy is one of the top few. How do you keep a level of consistency?

AYAKA FURUE: Keep my energy and focus. Just practise shots. I feel like I don't want to hit more than ten meters, this wide. I just hit straight. That's one of my strategies for training, like practicing.

Q. You're the shortest player on the LPGA but playing against much different players physically, but how do you use it to you're advantage?

AYAKA FURUE: I don't really think about other players is when I'm hitting my shot, how far they go or how far they hit. Just focusing on my play.

Q. So when did you know that you were leading?

AYAKA FURUE: After the birdies and was the same score as Celine.

Q. What went through your mind then?

AYAKA FURUE: Just like keep this momentum going. Don't feel like -- I don't see I don't feel nothing, but just, yeah, keep my momentum going.

Q. Does the rain affect your putting and your play? Did it disturb you a bit?

AYAKA FURUE: I just feel like it was difficult, like I had like kind of muddy ball. It was hard for me to hit close to the pin.

Q. And the last LPGA Tour event you won was in Scotland. How special would it be to get a win while you're in Asia?

AYAKA FURUE: I think winning is the most important thing to play to play in the Paris Olympics, so yeah.

Q. Because last year you came in in the top five, what makes this course so special?

AYAKA FURUE: I have a good impression on this course but the green was really faster than last year. So kind of difficult for me to read at first.

Q. And it's been a few years since you won. What do you think you've learned since winning on the LPGA last?

AYAKA FURUE: I don't look back at the tournament I won. Just when I focus when I play, this tournament.

Q. And are you by chance a Taylor Swift fan? You are? You know she's going to be in town.

AYAKA FURUE: I want to go.

Q. Do you have a favourite Taylor Swift song?

AYAKA FURUE: 22.

Q. You should buy tickets for the concert.

AYAKA FURUE: I knew it last week, and I couldn't get any tickets.