T-MOBILE MATCH PLAY PRESENTED BY MGM REWARDS

April 3, 2024

Yuka Saso

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Yuka Saso after her first round at the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards. Just take us through the round today. What was working for you?

YUKA SASO: First nine I was -- I mean, I think overall I played really consistent. Didn't have a lot of misses or anything.

And also, I think I gave myself a lot of chances back nine, so, yeah.

Q. Fifth event of the year so far for you. How does the game feel? I think you had three top 20 finishes so far. What's working for you so far in your game and what are you still trying to perfect?

YUKA SASO: Actually don't know. What do you guys think? I don't know. Obviously I'm not working on just specific one. I'm working on every -- overall my game. I think it's paying off a little bit.

Obviously I want to get better and the work doesn't stop here, so, yeah, I think just trust the process and keep it going.

Q. How does this course kind of play to your strengths and what are you trying to still navigate on the course?

YUKA SASO: It's my first time playing here and obviously the golf course is very beautiful. It's playing very difficult. Off the tee I can't really hit a lot of drivers. Need to think a lot off the tee. That gives me long shots into the green, and I think that's what makes this golf course very difficult.

I think I did that well today, so, yeah.

Q. Do you have a strategy in place knowing that we'll go from stroke play to eventually match play? Do you have a strategy or are you taking it one round at a time?

YUKA SASO: Yeah, just taking it one round at a time, trying to make the cut, and then there is another cut after the third day. Only eight players goes into the weekend, so a bit nervous. At the same time, I think just enjoy the golf course.

Q. And last one: Another Olympic year. How much of that is a goal for you after representing Japan in 2020? How much of that is a goal for you for this year?

YUKA SASO: I represented Philippines.

Q. Sorry. How much of a goal is it for you to represent the Philippines after you did so in 2020?

YUKA SASO: Yeah, I've said the same in Tokyo 2020 as well. To make it to Olympics I have to play well in the events that I'm playing before the Olympics because that's where the rankings comes in from.

So my priority or focus right now is to play well this week and Chevron and coming tournaments. I think those are more important. If it I was able to give myself a chance to play, then I'll be happy. If not, I think I won't be that depressed or sad.