U.S SENIOR WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

August 4, 2024

Kaori Yamamoto

Fox Chapel Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We welcome Kaori Yamamoto from Japan to the interview area after the fourth round of the U.S. Senior Women's Open. Not the finish you might have wanted but still a finish by a qualifier in this championship. Can you talk about how you feel?

KAORI YAMAMOTO: Of course to be honest, I would love to have the Cup in my hand, but for the fourth day I couldn't make birdies and I couldn't better my score. I am very happy where I am right now.

Q. I believe yesterday you mentioned receiving words of encouragement from your friends and family in Japan. What did they say to you last night or before this round today?

KAORI YAMAMOTO: Well, because of the time difference that we have from here and Japan, most of the messages were good luck, I'm sorry if I fall asleep, I can't watch you. But we're planning to wake up early and watch you on TV, or bring home the victory cup, and many, many messages to encourage me today.

Q. How does your performance this week give you confidence as you move forward in the rest of your schedule this summer and just in the rest of your career?

KAORI YAMAMOTO: I have gained a lot of confidence this week. I am currently playing in mini-tours in Japan with the young players and also the senior tour, what we call the Legends Tour in Japan. I haven't been playing well on the younger tour, the mini-tours, but with the experience that I had here, I feel a little more confident that I can make -- I haven't been making putts, so I'm a little more confident about that and more positive about going into the tournaments.

Q. How does this, if at all, affect your schedule, when you think about your schedule moving forward over the next few years, coming years?

KAORI YAMAMOTO: I did get a big boost with this experience being second in such a prestigious tournament here, and I am very happy that I was able to -- very grateful that I was able to compete in this. I am pledging that as long as I am healthy physically and as long as my bank account agrees, I would love to continue playing next year, the following year, the following year. As long as everything is there mentally, physically and financially, I will be challenging this tournament.

Q. San Diego Country Club next year. Do you know anything about it? Have you ever played it? We held a qualifier there for this year. Is there anything that you know already?

KAORI YAMAMOTO: I have no idea. I've never played San Diego Country Club, but I am very looking forward to being there.