WOMEN'S OLYMPIC GOLF COMPETITION

August 7, 2024

Lilia Vu

Le Golf National

Quick Quotes

Q. How did it go out there, your kind of general first take out there?

LILIA VU: I think I did okay. It was a little tough out there. But we managed.

Q. Can you talk about the course.

LILIA VU: I think this is a little more difficult than what we're used to, the setup. I think the greens are firm, and there's a lot of island greens, and you have to place the right shots in the fairway to hit to different types of greens.

And so I think it's difficult. You can't really come out here and go on auto pilot. You have to think about every single shot, where you want to end up and where's the wind, is a little into from the right or is it off the left helping. Like all those things matter. So kind of have to navigate the course the best way you can.

Q. You said in your opening, in your press conference, that you thought this would be a little bit more than a major if you won a medal. Seeing the crowds, feeling that emotion on the first tee, playing with Celine, does that feel still true for you, even more so now?

LILIA VU: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it was so cool to see all her fans push really hard for her. I think on hole 15 I kind of thought -- changed my mindset. I was, okay, I'm playing for my country that kind of saved my family when we needed to on the boat. So I'm playing for more than just me. I'm playing -- I'm trying to give back to my country and earn them a medal.

Q. Had you played with so someone who got that much attention, given that we're in France, have you ever played with someone who it was like all about them, and what did it remind you of?

LILIA VU: Yeah, The Open, when I played with Charley Hull in London. It was very similar. I think a little extra here. I think there's just more fans because it's the Olympics. Like even non-golf fans are here, I think.

And so I think today was a little more extra. But it's really cool to see. They're all pushing hard for her. And it's not like they're rooting against me, they're also clapping for me and supporting me too.

Q. Was it fun for you? Because some of the guys ran into that last week playing with Pavon and Victor Perez, they said it was just cool to be part of.

LILIA VU: Yeah, this is really fun for me. They're cheering for me too. So I'm trying to keep up with Celine.

Q. How proud are you just to have an under-par round in your first Olympic Games, in your first round of your first Olympic Games?

LILIA VU: Oh, very. Given how this morning's warm-up went, I was a little bit of a mess, not feeling great about my game. And I'm like, oh, you have to have everything here. So definitely satisfied with how I played today.

Q. What was up with the warm-up?

LILIA VU: I just wasn't feeling good. I was just getting to like imposter syndrome a little bit. I was like, how am I here right now? But it's okay. I'm going to try my best and hopefully can get better.

Q. How can you get imposter syndrome when you've one five times in the LPGA Tours and did it this year after a two-month break?

LILIA VU: Yeah, I think I just don't know. I just get in my own way, right? That's like your own enemy, basically. And I feel like I had to defeat one last year right before The Open, just like U.S. Women's Open wasn't good, and then I was going through a rough patch, and then was able to win The Open, and that's what like kind of changed everything.

But falling back into it a little bit. But I'll find my way out. I always do.

Q. Imposter syndrome.

LILIA VU: Yeah.

Q. That's like the best phrase I've ever heard I think.

LILIA VU: Yeah, me and Joel Dahmen.

Q. You started well, though.

LILIA VU: I did start well. I think I was able to see Amy Yang's smooth swing, and I was like, I need to do that. Maybe that'll help me. It's just so good.

Q. You seem giddy almost. Does this bring out a childlike Lilia, when you were growing up playing? Does it feel that way? You just seem so bubbly about everything.

LILIA VU: Yeah, I think more now than before. I think I was a little timid when I was young. But, you know, I should be proud that I'm playing for my country, and I'm going to do the best I can this week.