T-MOBILE MATCH PLAY PRESENTED BY MGM REWARDS

April 3, 2024

Sei Young Kim

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Sei Young Kim after her first round at the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards. Just what was working so well out there for you? Bogey-free front with five birdies on a tough course.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Yeah, I was thinking before the tee off this course is not going to easier because the past year we played match play all the round, so match play we don't have to think much.

But it's change the format first three round, and then feels like a lot of things going on more I feel like. So I have to check the -- on Monday basically every hole.

So and then it works today. The front nine I didn't expect I play that well like this much because I was like just keep the -- yeah, some hole par is best, so I kind of very smart play. That's what I wanted to go.

So yeah, pretty solid round today. I'm very, yeah, happy with that.

Q. You kind of mentioned it, but I wanted to dive deeper into it. First year playing stroke play at this course. What were some of the differences you saw from the course or how you saw certain shots you approached before in match play?

SEI YOUNG KIM: When I play the match play I just looking at the target, and then even a lot of things going on on the putting green, especially this course a lot of undulation on the green, so even that, just ignore, just hit to the target or pin. Just follow the pin.

But now I don't follow anymore because if you follow the hole it can be the water, so water can be the mistake. So just kind of very safety play this week.

Q. Curious how 9, your decision to go for the green there, why you chose to do that instead of layup because of the position to put you in.

SEI YOUNG KIM: Because I feel too much is aggressive. Can be in the water because a lot of the water is around the green, or even if you avoid the pin and stay kind of smart play, use undulation, it can be make the tap-in birdie.

So today is a lot of kind of that happen.

Q. Given the format, getting off to a really good start with two cuts coming and only eight making it to the weekend, does that change strategy?

SEI YOUNG KIM: You mean just regular tournament or match play?

Q. Does it change your strategy knowing you're already in good position? Do you let off the gas pedal a little?

SEI YOUNG KIM: I mean, until Friday I just play the safety and then the smart play. That's what I plan.

But weekend I'm not sure. After the Friday I'm going to, yeah, maybe fix it, yeah. Think about it. Yeah.