MIZUHO AMERICAS OPEN

May 16, 2024

So Mi Lee

Liberty National Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, I'm here with So Mi Lee after the first round of the Mizuho Americas Open. You're current leading with a 6-under round. Talk about how you played out there today; a lot of birdies on the scorecard.

SO MI LEE: At first it was so windy when I was playing first, but second shot was very great. My second shot was very great, and as long the putting was getting along with my shot, yeah.

Q. Talk about being the second alternate. You didn't know you were going to play today coming to the course. Talk about the emotions before you went to play today and how you played so well despite that.

SO MI LEE: At first I was kind of depressed and I think I can't play well today. I also get caddie to go home and we have no caddie, so my father play with me and that made me comfortable playing. Yeah, he was very great.

Q. And were you hitting balls this morning when you were told? Were you just practicing like normal when you were told you would be going to play?

SO MI LEE: I didn't expect to play today, so I just go to the park and going to run, but my father said, hey, just go and some practice and you have chance.

And this makes this chance, yeah.

Q. That's really awesome. Does being in that situation kind of take the pressure off you? You don't know if you're going to play so you can just go out and play golf without any expectations?

SO MI LEE: There was no kind of pressure to me, and it was just appreciated to play, yeah.

Q. What time did you find out you were going to play?

SO MI LEE: Before one hour, one hour before we tee off.

Q. So about 11:00 then?

SO MI LEE: Yeah, 11:00 or 11:20.

Q. Has it ever happened to you before where you didn't know and...

SO MI LEE: No, never. First time.

Q. Just one last question from me: What are you looking forward to over the next few days? You haven't played this course before and you're an LPGA rookie this year. What are you looking forward to most to maximize this week?

SO MI LEE: At first I would like to play with fearless as a rookie, so I would be like play aggressive, yeah.

Q. What is your father's name, spell it, and is he a golfer?

SO MI LEE: No. He never golfer; just father. My dad name is Tohyeun Lee, T-o-h-y-e-u-n, and then Lee, L-e-e, yeah.