BLUE BAY LPGA

March 7, 2024

Lydia Ko

Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, I'm here with Lydia Ko after the first round at Blue Bay LPGA. Can you just walk me through your round is and what you saw out there?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, I played really solid today, especially on my front nine, which is the back nine of the golf course. Even on the back I don't think I put myself in that many awkward positions.

I think around these green complexes it's very easy to be on the green but have a very difficult two-putt potentially.

Yeah, I played solid. Few putts I wish could have dropped. I putted a lot better today than last week, so I feel like I'm moving in the right direction.

Q. What would you say stands out to you about this golf course?

LYDIA KO: I think the greens. There are some greens with some pin positions that like is actually really hard to stay on the same tier. I think how the rules officials are going to set up the golf course and where they put the pins are going to dictate the scores a lot.

Playing in the morning obviously the wind is going to be a lot calmer, so you kind of have to take advantage of those kind of conditions.

Q. And then tomorrow, Friday, International Women's Day, I wanted to ask you a few questions about that. What's does International Women's Day mean to you?

LYDIA KO: I would say it means a lot because of I think especially the women in my life, my mom and my sister. It's either one of them are traveling me, and I feel like I wouldn't be here without them. I said if I was in their shoes I don't know if I would be able to do it.

It means strength and at times sacrifice, and I think because of them I'm able to play comfortably and not worry about some of the things that maybe some other players have to deal with.

Yeah, I think I'm very lucky about the women in my life.

Q. What does it mean to you to be a member of a global tour like the LPGA?

LYDIA KO: It's great to be part of a tour where you know that the best female golfers are playing. When you're competing you want to compete and play against the best of the best. I feel like I'm doing that week in, week out.

There is so much talent out here that I wish a lot more people would be able to tune into our TV coverage and come and watch. I play alongside these ladies and sometimes it makes me say, wow, because it's so impressive.

Yeah, I think just to be able to play alongside the best and be contending alongside the best is something that I'm grateful for. The opportunity doesn't come to everyone; I'm enjoying it while I can do it.

Q. How cool is it for you to personally experience the different cultures on the LPGA Tour?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, I think the very fortunate thing about us is we play a bunch of events domestically, but at the same time I feel like America is so big every state is very different, so it's like a different country within the U.S.

We also play in Europe and Asia, and we used to play Down Under in Australia and New Zealand as well.

Every country is very different. I know a bunch of people that wake up at 2:00 a.m. while we're playing in Arkansas and they're in like China, and to be able to play in front of them is really cool. I always like experiencing different cultures and trying different foods, so it's a perk of our job.

Q. And you've had the opportunity to represent your country not only in the Olympics, but out here. What does that mean to you as well?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, I think I always feel proud to represent New Zealand. Proud to be a South Korean born Kiwi. Both of those countries make me who I am. I think if I was one or the other I wouldn't be me.

So I wish I had more of my Kiwi accent back. I'm kind of sad that I'm losing it but, but I feel proud of both cultures and my heritage and I'm excited to be able to represent both countries and I'm excited for the Olympics in Paris.