FIR HILLS SERI PAK CHAMPIONSHIP

March 23, 2024

Jiyai Shin

Palos Verdes Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Jiyai Shin. Five consecutive birdies on the front nine. What was working so well from the start of today's round?

JIYAI SHIN: Well, I knew the wind is blowing pretty hard today, so that's why beginning of the day I thinking, okay, I need to birdie only.

So it comes from third hole, and then after that my shot was -- I can make the easy (indiscernible) to the hole whole day with my golf, so it works pretty well. Yeah, that's why I'm interview now.

Q. What do you like most about this course, or what do you find most challenging that you have been able to overcome with the round like today?

JIYAI SHIN: Well, the first thing is you can see the how beautiful ocean view here, so we need to focusing on the golf.

And then, well, actually the setting is not for the long golfer, so we need it very consistent. And then I'm not a long hitter, so when I practice round, okay, it's might be have a chance to this golf course.

And then I like the tiny greens, so we need the right number from the fairway. But, you know, this wind make very hard to calculating today. That's why I talk a lot with my caddie about the wind direction and the numbers, too.

So, yeah, and then you can see a lot of Korean fans here, so I got a lot of energy from our fans.

Q. Sponsor invite this week. We last saw you on the LPGA Tour a few months ago. What does it mean to be here as a sponsor's invite from your friend's event?

JIYAI SHIN: Seri is my idol still. I saw her, she's coming to the watching our playing, and then make a little bit more pressure.

But it works. It works. And I can see everywhere Seri's name, so when I play -- when I first time playing LPGA, they called our -- my same age from the Korea player, they called Seri Kids, so this is her first hosting event, so I feel so proud just glad to playing in here.

And then I'm -- well, when I registration or coming through everywhere, they say, oh, this is -- she is invite. I try to get used.

Q. Nice. Last time we saw you on the LPGA was in California.

JIYAI SHIN: Uh-huh.

Q. What is it about golf in this state particularly that brings out the best in you that you really have fun with?

JIYAI SHIN: Well, the weather, you can see the nice sunshine. And then, well, when I come to go here, like so friendly and nice, the people so nice, too. Great supporters so they touch my heart, so that's why I feel great to try to focus on my game.

Q. And then it's an Olympic year. I know everybody is thinking about the Olympics. How much is that on your mind and what would it mean to qualify for the Olympics?

JIYAI SHIN: It's quite big. That's why I asked to Seri to want to play in this game, because I played the Japan Tour right now and then they have points as well, but much less than LPGA Tour.

So that's why I try to keep more LPGA and U.S. here. Yeah, you know, next year my 20th pro year next year, so how much I long time playing.

But finally I find a new goal this year, so since like early of the January I went to Australia and do the hard work out. I went to Saudi, Singapore, Japan. I played all over the world because I'm very focusing on my goal.

So, yeah. Well, I just do my best. Yeah, if I have a tournament, yeah, happy day.

Q. Does that mean we'll see you more in the United States as you work towards this Olympic goal?

JIYAI SHIN: Yes. So I will be coming to another majors, too.

Q. Obviously this being Seri's first hosted event on the tour, we still got a lot of golf to go, but you've put yourself right in contention. What would it mean for you to be able to be a Seri's Kid with the trophy?

JIYAI SHIN: Well, even I started golf I watching her winning, so I always -- she give to me a dream and a goal, so...

And then -- well, I'm still playing, and then but I can see how she support the golf world, so I want to be like her.

Q. She said to me just before you came in that she came and saw three of your birdies.

JIYAI SHIN: Yes.

Q. When did you notice her watching you on the course today?

JIYAI SHIN: So she watching on 15, on the green, so straight after when I saw her I make the three birdies. I want her to come out tomorrow more. Maybe a little bit earlier.