AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 20, 2024

Lilia Vu

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: I'm delighted to be joined by our defending champion, Lilia Vu. Can you start by just telling us just how special it is to be at the home of golf.

LILIA VU: Yeah, it's been so cool. Yesterday I played the back nine. Today I played the Pro-Am, so 18 holes. It's been so cool.

On Sunday night, on the way from Dundonald to here, we actually had a final send-off for our trophy at the Dunvegan. So it was really cool to stop by there, see all the memorable there.

Q. I know you did do a nice surprise meet-and-greet with some kids yesterday, cute little golfers, and you brought the trophy along. How exciting is it to you to see that you're an inspiration to that next generation of golfer?

LILIA VU: I don't think I'm at that level yet, but it was really cool to meet them, and they're super cute with all their questions. They really wanted me to hit my driver. So I'm glad I got to do that for them.

Q. This time last year, obviously you got on a little bit of a tear earlier this season, but this one was what really brought you back. You said it felt like a fluke when you won this event. Could you explain that? Has that mindset shifted finally when you look back at this victory?

LILIA VU: A little bit. I feel like I always fall back in my old ways and feel like I don't know how I won tournaments before.

I think I felt that at the Olympics a little bit this year, just was not playing well and just felt like, how did I get here and earn this spot, almost.

But I'm trying my best out here. I got sick from the Olympics. So I was sick all last week. It was kind of hard to recover, this cold and rain, but I love it here.

Q. How are you preparing for a title defence this week? And obviously didn't get to make a pedal defence at Chevron. Does this one feel any different because it's a major and because you finally get to defend a (indiscernible) title?

LILIA VU: Yeah, it definitely feels different. We're at St Andrews, which is like the place that everyone wants to play. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance. There's a little bit of pressure, but I think I know it's going to be a battle for everyone, not just me. So I'm going to try my hardest, do my best out here.

Q. What is it about major championship golf, and even links golf, that brings out some of the best of your game, do you feel like?

LILIA VU: I think as we're able to narrow it down to the shot in front of you, you kind of just zone out and -- actually, zone in and just play one shot at a time and not get too far ahead of yourself. Everyone is going to make mistakes. It's just whoever makes the least mistakes out here.

Q. What do you feel you gain from playing at Dundonald last week in preparation for this week? Obviously the weather wasn't great, tough conditions here this week?

LILIA VU: Yeah, I think last week was perfect warm-up to come here. There was so much wind, so much rain, and I felt like I was a little rusty with my flighted shots, and it's slowly getting better every single day. So we're in the right area.

Q. Over the years, some players have come here and played The Old Course and not instantly liked it. You've fallen in love with it straightaway? Or is it a course you'll have to gradually get the lay of the land of? Some players have played The Old Course in the past and they don't like it straightaway. They love it eventually. How has your feeling been playing it for the first time?

LILIA VU: I think it was definitely an adjustment yesterday with the double greens. It's pretty cool that they add up to 18. I think that's the coolest part. You kind of have to pay attention to the hole you're on. It really helps with the different flag colors, the blue and the white. So I think you just gotta be disciplined out here, whether you like it or not.

Q. Can you just reflect on your year as the AIG Women's Open champion and maybe, like, what's the best thing that you've got to do or the most exciting thing that has happened because you won this championship?

LILIA VU: I don't want to be cliché, but I got a cat from it. That was my bribe with my dad last year. We got another bribe to get another cat if I do another major. So hopefully I can do that.

But, yeah, my cat I named him Walton after Walton Heath. Hopefully I can get another cat and maybe name it something else.

Q. After you won last year, you mentioned about coming to St Andrews and defending your title. Have you had a chance to come here since the triumph? And what have you made of it when you've been here this week and perhaps a previous visit?

LILIA VU: I actually played for the first time yesterday. So it was definitely surreal. I got to play with Nelly and two other players. So that was super cool too. We took pictures at the bridge yesterday and again today.

You just don't ever get over that feeling of other past players being there and so much golf has been played here. So, yeah, it's a surreal feeling and I'm trying to soak it all in, at the same time being focused on playing the tournament.

Q. Obviously defending this title, it's been something that's been so hard for previous players to do. What do you think you're looking to do that will help you do that this week?

LILIA VU: I think I'm not putting too much pressure on myself to defend a title. I mean, it's a new week at a new golf course. I'm just going to show up to the tournament the same way I do every single time and try to beat the course every day if it allows with the weather. But I'm just going to try my best, not put too much pressure.

Every single time that people think, oh, I'm defending something, it feels like you have something to lose. But when you start fresh at the beginning of the tournament, you haven't won the tournament yet. So I think I'm going to stick to that kind of mindset that I have.

Q. You're deflecting the defence, but you're playing with Nelly Korda and Charley Hull. That's another level of prestige. How do you view that?

LILIA VU: I play with them a lot. I wouldn't say that it would change anything. I love playing with both of them. They're super good golfers. They bring in a crowd, which is great, but I think it's just another round with some of my friends, kind of.